1028.4 Egress courts.

Egress courts serving as a portion of the exit discharge in the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1028.4.1 and 1028.4.2.

1028.4.1 Width or capacity.

The required capacity of egress courts shall be determined as specified in Section 1005, but the minimum width shall be not less than 44 inches (1117.6 mm), except as specified herein. Egress courts serving Group R-3 and U occupancies shall be not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) in width. The required capacity and width of egress courts shall be unobstructed to a height of 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm).

   Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

Where an egress court exceeds the minimum required width and the width of such egress court is then reduced along the path of exit travel, the reduction in width shall be gradual. The transition in width shall be affected by a guard not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) in height and shall not create an angle of more than 30 degrees (0.52 rad) with respect to the axis of the egress court along the path of egress travel. The width of the egress court shall not be less than the required capacity.

1028.4.2 Construction and openings.

Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.

   Exception: Protection of exterior walls shall not be required where:

      1.   Egress courts serving an occupant load of less than 10.

      2.   Egress courts serving Group R-3.

1028.6 Access to a public way.

The exit discharge shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way.

   Exception: Where access to a public way cannot be provided, a safe dispersal area shall be provided where all of the following are met:

      1.   The area shall be of a size to accommodate not less than 5 square feet (0.46 m 2 ) for each person.

      2.   The area shall be located on the same lot not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) away from the building requiring egress.

      3.   The area shall be permanently maintained and identified as a safe dispersal area.

      4.   The area shall be provided with a safe and unobstructed path of travel from the building.

      5.   The area shall be illuminated in accordance with Section 1008.