In the A/E design community, the term "open stair" is frequently used to describe a stair that is not enclosed with walls, partitions or barriers. While "open stair" is not a term used in the International Building Code, it generally aligns with a stairway (which is a defined term in the IBC) not used for egress purposes or an exit access stairway (also a defined term). The terms "communicating stair" and "convenience stair" are also used in the same line of discussion, though depending on the situation, these could be referring to communicating spaces or convenience openings, both types of vertical openings defined in NFPA 101. In this post, we'll review the IBC requirements for open stairs and describe several code paths that can be used to provide open stairs in your design. I will use the term "open stair" throughout the post, but remember, since this is not a defined term, any formal documentation on drawings, plans etc. should use the proper nomenclature identified in this overview. This post will be limited to stairs within a building and will not address exterior stairways. Open Stairs - 2018 IBC Code PathsStairway Connecting Levels within a Story The first and most simple type of open stair connects one or more levels within a single story. This stair could be provided to access a raised floor area or a mezzanine, or to access areas on a story that are at different elevations due to a sloping site. If the open stair is not used as part of the means of egress, the IBC would view it as simply a "stairway." If it is on the path of egress, it then becomes an exit access stairway. In either case, since this type of stair does not connect multiple stories, there is no code requirement to enclose the stairway or provide a rated separation (IBC 1019.2). One other important point for this type of open stair is the requirement for accessible means of egress (IBC 1009). An exit access stair connecting levels on the same story is not permitted to be part of an accessible means of egress, unless the stair is providing the means of egress from a mezzanine (IBC 1009.3.1). If you are not sure how to address required vs. accessible means of egress requirements, check out this post for more details. Stairway Connecting Two Stories If your open stair does connect two stories, a few additional requirements are triggered. First, IBC 712.1.9 gives a number of requirements for vertical two-story openings. These include:
If your open stair is part of the means of egress (exit access stairway), IBC 1019.3 gives similar requirements. Note that open stairs connecting two stories are not permitted in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies. Stairway Connecting Three or More Stories If your open stair connects three or more stories, the most common approach is to use a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers per IBC 1019.3.4. Use of this provision requires the following:
In Group B and M occupancies, there is no limit to the number of stories that can be connected with this approach. In all other occupancies, this is limited to four connected stories, except Groups I-2 and I-3, where it is not permitted at all. Open Stairs in Group R Occupancies In Group R-1, R-2 and R-3 occupancies, open stairs up to four stories are permitted if they are contained within a single dwelling unit, sleeping unit or live/work unit. Open stairs are also permitted in Group R-3 congregate living facilities and Group R-4 occupancies. Open Stairs within an Atrium If located within an atrium, open stairs are permitted with no limit to the number of stories connected. Keep in mind that atriums have a host of additional requirements in the code, such as smoke control and rated separation from other building spaces. Open stairs in an atrium are permitted to serve as exit access stairways, though the travel distance when using such stairs is limited to 200 feet (IBC 404.9.3). Other Situations There are a few other situations where the code allows open stairs without any rated enclosure or separation:
ConclusionThere are many cases where the IBC allows open stairs. When open stairs are used as part of the means of egress for a building, they are considered "exit access stairways." Otherwise, they would fall under the "stairway" definition in the code. If your project is required to comply with NFPA 101, be sure to check out Chapter 8, which has more stringent requirements for vertical openings than the IBC.
21 Comments
6/27/2021 12:32:12 pm
Your advice on "open stairs within an atrium" is not quite correct.
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Hi Jonathan,
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Hawk
11/7/2022 05:10:55 pm
Come on Jonathan... You do realize Section 1006.3.1 is that the path of egress travel (act of exiting) shall not pass through one adjacent story. This means that a person on level 3 must reach an exit (interior exit stairway) on level 2 and cant travel three stories to an exit thus meaning that the building will have at least one interior exit stairway. It doesn't mean the actual exit access stairway (structure/building element) cant transcend more than two stories. Also no such thing as unenclosed interior exit stairway. Class dismissed!
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Chris Campbell
6/27/2021 04:52:33 pm
Hi Jonathan,
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6/27/2021 05:14:43 pm
I think my first reply disappeared, so I'll try again: We seem to agree on most points, but some clarification would still be useful. If you want your discussion of stairs in atriums to be about "convenience" stairs not used for egress, then your statement that "Open stairs in an atrium are permitted to serve as exit access stairways" is problematic, since an exit access stairway is part of a means of egress and therefore limited as I suggested.
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8/4/2021 04:27:31 pm
Can you explain how stairs can be open in relation to this code below (I added gaps at the pertinent section) :
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8/4/2021 04:59:44 pm
Interior exit stairs can be open — in the sense of not having enclosures constructed as fire barriers — based on the exceptions listed in Section 1023,2 (Construction). For example, exception #2 allows such stairs to forgo fire barrier enclosure when in an atrium, presumably because the atrium itself acts as a form of enclosure, per Section 404.6. But note that other provisions, e.g., Section 1023.3 (Termination), are NOT covered by this exception, so that such a stair would still need to terminate at an exit discharge or public way.
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9/16/2021 10:32:34 am
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Hi!
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9/28/2021 03:11:17 pm
Yes, in principle, your project can be built with one stair. But be aware of the following (based on the 2018 IBC):
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10/14/2021 12:02:37 am
What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.
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10/14/2021 12:02:51 am
What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.
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Maritza Hawthorne
10/20/2021 11:00:29 am
Hello,
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Chris Campbell
10/20/2021 11:11:15 am
Hi Maritza,
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Charlie Calvano
12/17/2021 10:34:54 am
I would like to confirm that this open stair connecting three or more stories can only apply if the stair is not being used as a means of egress, unless it meets the requirements of Section 1006.3.1 which states "The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story." This tells me that there has to be an enclosed stairway nearby meeting the Exit Access Travel Distance from each floor to the adjacent floor below. The code commentary also outlines that exit access stairs open to multiple floors is allowed to be all the way down for multiple levels, specifically noting Exception 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8 in Section 1019.3. Exception 4 is not noted. So it appears very limited.
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Chris Campbell
1/11/2022 08:47:46 am
Hi Charlie,
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John Campbell
1/21/2022 08:54:13 am
Does a 2-story, open, exit access stairway create an Atrium condition? Our design includes an open stair joining large, public spaces on two stories. Since the code allows this without an enclosure, our understanding was that this is not an Atrium and we have not provided any of the Atrium-related provisions in Chapter 4. However the code official reviewing the project claims our open stair has created an Atrium condition, and therefore wants the entire perimeter of our large, open spaces on each floor to have a 1-hour rating as would be required around the perimeter of a more traditional atrium. Can you shed any light on this? Thank you!
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Chris Campbell
1/21/2022 09:18:50 am
Historically, most code officials have taken your interpretation, that a two story opening complying with IBC 712.1.9 would not need to comply with the atrium provisions of IBC 404. This positions has further been clarified in the 2021 IBC, which now specifically defines an atrium as connecting three or more stories, except in certain Group I occupancies.
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1/21/2022 09:22:50 am
An exit access stairway opening can be designed either as an atrium, or as a two-story opening per Section 1019. If you comply with the Section 1019 criteria (basically that the opening communicates between only two stories, and is not open to other stories), then it need not be designed as an atrium. This is explained in Section 712, where the various protection methods for vertical openings are listed. These are alternative protection methods, and the intention is to find one that works, not to apply more than one protection method to a single vertical opening.
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RKM
10/10/2022 11:28:29 am
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