Upper Storage above Commerical Kitchen

[EnE_arch]

Hello,
We are working on an interior build-out for a restaurant. The restaurant is located in multi-family development. The ceiling/floor is shared with the pool amenity for the residence. The build-out is 4200 sqft. Due to the ceiling height and the bottom of the pool (which falls within the middle of the dining space) we can create a dining mezz above the main entrance. The owner needs additional storage for the kitchen. We have head room to build a floor above the kitchen area. Due to the pool floor in the middle of the of the dining mezz and kitchen we have no way to connect the two. So, we end up with Dining mezz with its own staircase and 732 sqft of storage above the kitchen with its own staircase. Calling the upper level storage, a second floor requires two ways out. I’m looking for code path that allows only one exit from the upper storage. The storage will be used for dry goods and lockable liquor. The owner wants the storage stair to be open from main level. The storage stair dumps you into the dining space which leads you to an egress exist.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

I’m looking for code path that allows only one exit from the upper storage.

From the 2018 IBC:
- 1004.5 Areas without fixed seating.
- - The number of occupants shall be computed at the rate of one occupant per unit as prescribed in Table 1004.5. For areas without fixed seating, the occupant load shall be not less than the number determined by dividing the floor area under consideration by the occupant load factor assigned to the function of the space as set forth in Table 1004.5. Where an intended function is not listed in Table 1004.5, the building official shall establish a function based on a listed function that most nearly resembles the intended function.
- - - Exception: Where approved by the building official, the actual number of occupants for whom each occupied space, floor or building is deigned, although less than those determined by the calculation, shall be permitted to be used in the determination of the design occupant load.

- - Table 1004.5
- - - Maximum Floor Area Allowance Per Occupant
- - - - (the first column is "Function of Space", the second column is "Occupant Load Factora")
- - - - (go to note "a" first to find out what that specifies - note "a" states "Floor area in square feet per occupant")
- - - - now, go down the first column to "Storage, stock, shipping areas",
- - - - then across to the second column which states "300 gross"

- Now back to 1004.5 Areas without fixed seating and its calculation "For areas without fixed seating, the occupant load shall be not less than the number determined by dividing the floor area under consideration by the occupant load factor assigned to the function of the space as set forth in Table 1004.5." ... you stated " we end up with Dining mezz with its own staircase and 732 sqft of storage above the kitchen with its own staircase " ... doing the math as specified in 1004.5, 732 sqft / 300 = 2+.
- - Which gives an occupant load to the next higher number (to the next whole person, partial person splitting is not allowed) = 3

- Next, we go to:
- - Section 1006
- - - Number Of Exits and Exit Access Doorways
- - - - 1006.1 General.
- - - - - The number of exits or exit access doorways required within the means of egress shall comply with the provisions of Section 1006.2 for spaces, including mezzanines, and Section 1006.3 for stories or occupied roofs.
- - - - 1006.2 Egress from spaces.
- - - - - Rooms, area, or spaces, including mezzanines, within a story or basement shall be provided with the number of exits or access to exits in accordance with this section.
- - - - - 1006.2.1 Egress based on occupant load and common path of egress travel distance.
- - - - - - Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where the occupant load or common path of egress travel distance exceeds the values listed in Table 1006.2.1. The cumulative occupant load from adjacent rooms, areas or spaces shall be determined in accordance with Section 1004.2.
- - - - - - - 1. The number of exits from foyers, lobbies, vestibules or similar spaces need not be based on cumulative occupant loads for areas discharging through such spaces, but the capacity of the exits from such spaces shall be based on applicable cumulative occupant loads.
- - - - - - - 2. Care suites in Group I-2 occupancies complying with Section 407.4

- - Table 1006.2.1
- - - Spaces With One Exit Or Exit Access Doorway
- - - - (I can help with the first two columns for that part of the answer, you will need to run the numbers for the right three columns)
- - - - (first column is "Occupancy", second column is "Maximum Occupant Load Of Space")
- - - - go down to Sf
- - - - - (go to note "f" first to see what that specifies - note "f" states "The length of the common path of egress travel distance in a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be not more than 100 feet" ... we find that note "f" does not apply to the storage space in question)
- - - - Now go over to the second column "Maximum Occupant Load Of Space" to find the maximum occupant load for "One Exit or exit Access Doorway" for "S" storage which is not an open parking garage ... the maximum occupant load for such storage space is "29" for one exit or exit access doorway
- - - - the calculations show your occupant load is "3", which is less than the "29" occupant load allowed for one exit in Table 1006.2.1

Which allows one exit or exit access doorway for a storage space which has an occupant load of 29 or less.

Now, though ... you will need to run the numbers for the right three columns in Table 1006.2.1.
(Don't forget to read note "a" if the common path of travel is sprinklered.)