Roof Egress Requirements

The top rails of a guardrail system must be 39 to 45 inches above the walking working surface 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1.

Roof egress requirements.

Free egress from the roof to the stairwell is required for occupied roofs but is not mandated by the ibc or nfpa 101 for unoccupied roofs. The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide. This includes compliance with all of the following. The net clear opening area net clear height opening and net clear width opening.

In summary free access to the roof from the stairwell is not required by the ibc or nfpa 101 but may be required or preferred by the local code official. A the danger to employees must be minimized. For example all means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 2134 mm the building code then lists six possible exceptions to that one stipulation. The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high.

Minimum 5 7 square feet of net clear opening area. Egress window size and dimensions first lets look at the minimum opening area required. A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted from any story or occupied roof where one of the following conditions exists. Whether you re in a historical zone or not all means of egress must comply with highly specific thorough detailed building codes.

Intermediate structural members for example midrails or screens must be installed when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches high 29 cfr 1926 502 b 2. The egress window must have a glass area of not less than 8 of the total floor area of room s for which it is servicing to allow the minimum amount of sufficient natural light. Operation and maintenance requirements for exit routes. The number of exit stairs required is specified in table 1006 3 1 of the code.

The means of egress serves a room with an occupant load above 50 people the means of egress is used in an exit enclosure or while serving a high hazard area while swinging the door should leave available at least half of the required width of a corridor hallway etc for use. 1 each exit route must be maintained to minimize danger to employees during an emergency. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5 7 square feet. The egress from the space must be sized for the roof occupant load and must be continuous to the exit discharge at grade.

2 each exit route must be free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings and decorations.