408.3.6 Exit discharge.

Exits are permitted to discharge into a fenced or walled courtyard. Enclosed yards or courts shall be of a size to accommodate all occupants, be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the building and have an area of not less than 15 square feet (1.4 m 2 ) per person.

408.3.7 Sallyports.

A sallyport shall be permitted in a means of egress where there are provisions for continuous and unobstructed passage through the sallyport during an emergency egress condition.

408.3.8 Interior exit stairway and ramp construction.

One interior exit stairway or ramp in each building shall be permitted to have glazing installed in doors and interior walls at each landing level providing access to the interior exit stairway or ramp, provided that the following conditions are met:

   1.   The interior exit stairway or ramp shall not serve more than four floor levels.

   2.   Exit doors shall be not less than 3/4 hour fire door assemblies complying with Section 716.5.

   3.   The total area of glazing at each floor level shall not exceed 5,000 square inches (3.2 m 2 ) and individual panels of glazing shall not exceed 1,296 square inches (0.84 m 2 ).

   4.   The glazing shall be protected on both sides by an automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system shall be designed to wet completely the entire surface of any glazing affected by fire when actuated.

   5.   The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and installed in such a manner that the framing system will deflect without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates.

   6.   Obstructions, such as curtain rods, drapery traverse rods, curtains, drapes or similar materials shall not be installed between the automatic sprinklers and the glazing.

(Am. L.L. 2023/077, 6/11/2023, eff. 6/11/2023)

Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2023/077.

408.4 Locks.

Egress doors are permitted to be locked in accordance with the applicable use condition. Doors from a refuge area to the outside are permitted to be locked with a key in lieu of locking methods described in Section 408.4.1. The keys to unlock the exterior doors shall be available at all times and the locks shall be operable from both sides of the door.

408.4.1 Remote release.

Remote release of locks on doors in a means of egress shall be provided with reliable means of operation, remote from the resident living areas, to release locks on all required doors. In Occupancy Condition 3 or 4, the arrangement, accessibility and security of the release mechanisms required for egress shall be such that with the minimum available staff at any time, the lock mechanisms are capable of being released within 2 minutes.

   Exception: Provisions for remote locking and unlocking of occupied rooms in Occupancy Condition 4 are not required provided that not more than 10 locks are necessary to be unlocked in order to move occupants from one smoke compartment to a refuge area within 3 minutes. The opening of necessary locks shall be accomplished with not more than two separate keys.

408.4.2 Power-operated doors and locks.

Power-operated sliding doors or power-operated locks for swinging doors shall be operable by a manual release mechanism at the door. Emergency power shall be provided for the doors and locks in accordance with Section 2702.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Emergency power is not required in facilities with 10 or fewer locks complying with the exception to Section 408.4.1.

      2.   Emergency power is not required where remote mechanical operating releases are provided.

408.4.3 Redundant operation.

Remote release, mechanically operated sliding doors or remote release, mechanically operated locks shall be provided with a mechanically operated release mechanism at each door, or shall be provided with a redundant remote release control.

408.4.4 Relock capability.

Doors remotely unlocked under emergency conditions shall not automatically relock when closed unless specific action is taken at the remote location to enable doors to relock.

408.5 Protection of vertical openings.

Any vertical opening shall be protected by a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713, or shall be in accordance with Sections 408.5.1 and 408.5.2.