I received a Quick Question last week that ties in perfectly with our upcoming Live with Lori session coming up on November 17th:

Do the new requirements for locked elevator lobbies apply when there is direct access from the lobby to an exit stairwell?

We will be covering this topic in-depth in the upcoming live session, as well as the new code section addressing interlocks (you can register here), but I will also answer the question in today’s post.

The short answer is “no”…if an elevator lobby has direct access to an exit stairwell, that exit qualifies as the one means of egress required by the International Building Code (IBC) for elevator lobbies:

3006.5 Means of egress. Elevator lobbies shall be provided with not less than one means of egress complying with Chapter 10 and other provisions in this code. Egress through an enclosed elevator lobby shall be permitted in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2. Electrically locked exit access doors providing egress from elevator lobbies shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1010.2.14.

If the door to the stairwell permits free egress from the lobby, the doors between the elevator lobby and the tenant space do not have to meet the requirements of the new section (1010.2.14, referenced above).  If an elevator lobby does not have direct access to an exit stairwell, and occupants must leave the elevator lobby and enter the tenant space to find an exit, the new section includes the requirements to electrically lock the elevator lobby door and allow egress in an emergency.

Want to learn more about this section that was added to the 2024 IBC?  We’ll see you on the 17th!  You can also revisit the previous Live sessions on electrified hardware at iDigHardware.com/live.

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