A building inspector is reviewing the plans for a new four-story Group B office building. The plans indicate that the building has one primary exit stair and an additional exterior exit stair. What is the minimum number of accessible means of egress required for this building?
- AFour
- BOne
- CThree
- DTwo
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Two
IBC 1009.1 states that accessible means of egress are required where accessible routes are required. The IBC generally requires at least two exits from all stories, and therefore, at least two accessible means of egress are typically required for multi-story buildings, especially those with an occupant load requiring two exits. Since the building is four stories and a Group B occupancy, it would require two exits and thus two accessible means of egress.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Four is usually for very large or high-occupancy buildings.
- B. One is typically only allowed for buildings with very low occupant loads or specific conditions, not a four-story Group B.
- C. Three or more are required for buildings with very high occupant loads or specific configurations.
Minimum Accessible Means of Egress
Where accessible routes are required, the corresponding means of egress must also be accessible. This typically means that if a building requires two exits, it must also provide two accessible means of egress.
- Tied directly to the requirement for accessible routes.
- Generally, if two exits are required, two accessible means of egress are also required.
- Applies to all stories where accessible routes are required.
Memory trick: Accessible exits mirror the total exit count; if you need two ways out, they both need to be accessible.