Last Sunday I made my 2nd annual Mothers Day pilgrimage to a fabulous weekly market that is a combination farmers’ market, arts and crafts show, food truck smorgasbord, and a big old warehouse selling vintage clothing, furniture, accessories, etc. There was a 4-foot high key for sale but I didn’t splurge. 🙂
As I stood outside the warehouse I noticed that everyone who went in or out of the exit (which was not the main entrance), had something to say about the “ramp.” This exit would clearly not be considered accessible, but it was even difficult for able-bodied visitors to use. I’m not a ramp expert, but according to the 2012 IBC, ramps used as part of an egress route can have a maximum rise of 30 inches, with a running slope not steeper than 8 percent (1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal). There are also requirements for landings and maneuvering clearances which obviously don’t exist at this exit.
This is not a temporary building – the vintage market is open year-round, and it has been open for quite a while (but not so long that it hasn’t been visited by an inspector in decades). It’s not in a backwoods town…it’s an urban area. On beautiful Sundays the place is mobbed. So how does an egress situation like this fly?
A belated Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms out there!
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
Makeshift wheelchair access??
Like most flimsy inventions of flight, it flies until someone gets hurt.
At least there are sprinklers so that WHEN all those exposed combustibles and concealed spaces light up there should be adequate time for most people to stumble and/or roll down to the exit……. (0.o)
…….. Unless approved by the AHJ? I’m quite amazed at the number of violations that are present in buildings that have been visited by local inspectors.
It looks as though the ramp predates the installation of the door assembly. It may have been a means to slide materials down the ramp to a loading dock, and covered by a sliding or roll-up door.
That’s possible…I’m just worried about sliding Grandma down the ramp. I would call it a slide except for the pesky bumps in it.
Reminds me of a old hospital 1930 vintage it had ramps for gurney evacuation the ramps were 8% grade. Building was demolished in 1985
It’s quaint, adds to the charm.
Imagine what that plywood is like when it rains.