Frequently Asked Educational Questions

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A suite greater than 1000 sq. ft. requiring two means of egress is permitted to have the second means of egress into another suite. Per the 2012 edition of NFPA 101 18.2.5.7.2.2 C*, “…for suites requiring two means of egress, one means of egress from the suite shall be permitted to be into another suite, provided that the separation between the suites complies with the corridor requirements 18.3.6.2 through 18.3.6.5.” 

Exits through interior building areas must meet all of the following requirements as featured in the 2012 edition of the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code chapter 7, section 7.7.2 (condensed below). 

“No more than 50 percent of the required number of exits and not more than 50 percent of the required egress capacity shall discharge through areas on any level of discharge...”  See the specific conditions in section 7.7.2.   “Each level of discharge shall discharge directly outside the finished ground level or outside and provide access to the finished ground level by outside stairs or outside ramps.  The interior exit discharge shall be protected by one of the following methods…”  See section 7.7.2. (4) (a) (b).   “The entire area on the level of discharge shall be separated from areas below by construction having a fire resistance rating not less than that required for the exit enclosure, unless provided in 7.7.2.(6). Levels below the level of discharge in an atrium shall be permitted to be open to the level of discharge where the such level of discharge is protected in accordance with 8.6.7.”