NO. AB-018 : | |
DATE : | September 18, 2002 (Updated 1/1/2023 for code references) |
SUBJECT : | Fire and Life Safety |
TITLE : | Local Equivalency for Approval of Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings at Courts and Light Wells |
PURPOSE : | The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to provide standards and procedures for the application and case-by-case review of requests for local equivalency to allow access to or exit from emergency escape and rescue openings into enclosed courts or lightwells where such means of escape or rescue do not strictly comply with the provisions of the latest edition of the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC) regarding emergency escape and rescue openings. This bulletin permits the continuing application of code provisions of former editions of the SFBC regarding emergency escape and rescue openings. Requests for approval of local equivalency of emergency escape and rescue openings that open into courts or lightwells will be considered on a case-by-case basis when reasonable equivalency is proposed. |
REFERENCES : | Current edition of the San Francisco Building Code - Section 104A.2.7, Modifications. - Section 104A.2.8, Alternate Materials, design, and methods of construction. - Section 1031, Emergency Escape and Rescue. DBI Administrative Bulletin AB-005, Procedures for Approval of Local Equivalencies DBI Administrative Bulletin AB-019, Local Equivalency for Approval of Fire Escapes as a Required Means of Egress |
DISCUSSION : | Project sponsors may request the application of this local equivalency allowing emergency escape or rescue openings to open into a court or lightwell without strict compliance with the provisions of SFBC Section 1031 when it can be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis that there are practical difficulties in meeting the provisions of the SFBC, that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of the SFBC, and that reasonable equivalency is provided in fire-protection and structural integrity. |
Such proposed modification may be approved by the Department if it conforms with the below-listed standard provisions. The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and other City departments may impose additional requirements, in addition to those listed below, in the approval of any request for a code modification or alternate based upon individual building and property conditions. The San Francisco Fire Department may also review such case-by-case requests.
If a project sponsor wishes to propose emergency escape and rescue openings that open into courts or lightwells which differ from those listed below, proposals for the use of alternate materials, designs, or methods of construction may be submitted for review in the same manner as for this Local Equivalency. The Department of Building Inspection may require that additional substantiation be provided supporting any claims made for such proposals.
Procedure for Application of Local Equivalencies
Project sponsors wishing to apply local equivalencies must fill out and submit the Request for Approval of Local Equivalency form (Attachment A). Fees to be paid and scheduling of review of requests are as noted on that form. Following DBI review, each request will either be approved, approved with conditions, disapproved, or placed on “Hold” pending submittal of additional information.
Further details of procedures for the review of local equivalencies and appeal of departmental determinations may be found in Administrative Bulletin AB-005, Procedures for Approval of Local Equivalencies.
Conditions of Local Equivalency
Emergency escape and rescue openings that open into courts or lightwells without direct access to a yard or public way may be permitted on a case-by-case basis when the following provisions or approved equivalent provisions are met and the project sponsor provides documentation of the practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of the regular code.
The standard provisions for this local equivalency include:
1. The building in which the emergency escape and rescue openings are proposed shall not exceed four (4) stories in height.
2. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have access to a stairway, a fire escape or a permanently affixed balcony and ladder leading to a roof having a slope of not more than 4:12. Fire escape, balcony and ladder construction shall comply with Administrative Bulletin AB-019, Local Equivalency for Approval of Fire Escapes as a Required Means of Egress. Such stairway, fire escape or balcony and ladder shall have at least 50% net open area to allow the penetration of required light and ventilation.
3. A level path of travel shall be provided on the roof to a stairway enclosure or to another approved exit. Such path of travel shall be not less than three (3) feet in width.
4. Roofs used as part of the path of travel shall be at least one hour fire-rated.
5. The building shall be fire sprinklered per applicable standards.
6. A permit application and related submittal documents shall detail all construction which is approved as a result of this request for local equivalency.
Originally Signed By:
Frank Y. Chiu, Director
October 3, 2002
Gary Massetani, Fire Marshal
October 9, 2002
Approved by the Building Inspection Commission on September 18, 2002
Attachment A: Request for Approval of Local Equivalency