Exit Access Separation

An exit passageway provides the designer with an acceptable way of connecting a required exit stair to the exit discharge. Because the code requires an exit stair to open directly into an exit discharge to the exterior of the building, this provision will allow the stair to terminate at convenient locations away from the exterior walls. Also, the exit passageway can extend the path of travel when travel distances in the exit access system have been exceeded.

In this case study the required exit stair from the floors above terminated several feet from the exterior of the building. The McKEON opening protective forms the rated enclosure during a fire emergency, extending the exit path to exit discharge.