Issue No. 3

BUILD/BOSTON Presents "The Future of Building Codes, Parts I & II:

Part I: On Thursday November 18th from 10 AM until noon a panel of code officials and code consultants will present the International Building Code (IBC) at Build/Boston. The seminar description states that "the International Building Code is likely to set the standard for future design and construction requirements".

Part II: Also on Thursday November 18th from 1:30 to 3 PM Paul Sullivan, P.E. and A. Vernon Woodworth, AIA, from the Sullivan Code Group will provide an introduction to the performance-based provisions of the International Performance Based Code. Basic concepts will be accompanied by actual examples. Please join us for a glimpse at building codes in the next millenium.

BSA Code Committee Revived

The long dormant Codes and Regulations Committee of the Boston Society of Architects will be reconstituted under the Chairmanship of A. Vernon Woodworth, AIA, just in time for the year 2000. Please join us for an aggressive endeavor to involve the architectural community in understanding, interpreting, writing and creatively utilizing building and other codes. We will be working in conjunction with the BSA Legislative Affairs Committee to increase the input of architects in the writing and adoption of codes, as well as promoting code-related educational opportunities for BSA members. Please join us at our first meeting on Wednesday December 22 at 8:30 A.M. on the 5th floor at 52 Broad Street.

Whatever Happened to the Open Stair?

Over the centuries one of the principle decorative, ceremonial, and sculptural elements in the Architect's tool box has been the "open stair". Michelangelo's Laurentian Library and Tony Garnier's Paris Opera House are two examples which have inspired subsequent builders and designers. In fact few interior spatial elements can equal a well-designed open stair for its combination of utility, ornament, and grandeur. So whatever happened to the open stair?

The open stair, like sex, smoking, drinking and most good food has been declared potentially bad for your health. This is due to the fact that a stairway, if not enclosed can act as a flue during a fire, resulting in the spread of hot gases, smoke and flames throughout the building. Unlike previous editions the sixth edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code does not reference "open stairs". A stairway is permitted to be unenclosed under certain circumstances (see MSBC section 713.3). These circumstances include the restriction that an open stair cannot be part of a means of egress.

Code Puzzler:

This issue's puzzler relates to the following section of the Massachusetts State Building Code:

713.3 Floor Opening Enclosure. This section contains the requirement for a fire-rated shaft enclosure at all floor openings. There are 11 exceptions to this requirement, including atriums and open stairs. Both the open stair exception (#11) and a more limited opening provision (#2) define the permitted opening as "A floor opening which is not part of the required means of egress".

Q.: If an exit access corridor passes a floor opening (without fire-rated separation) is the floor opening part of the required means of egress?

The definition of "means of egress" states "A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access; the exit; and the exit discharge. A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal means of travel and shall include intervening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, horizontal exits, courts and yards."

A. If an exit access corridor passes a floor opening (without fire-rated separation) the floor opening is not part of the required means of egress. While the corridor is part of the exit access, the open stair is not. This allows occupants of a building to pass through an atrium or other permitted floor opening on their way to an exit stair.