Interpretation #7328

The wording of the question muddies the issue. The

questioner asks if 50% of the required EXITS ... may

utilize unenclosed stairways. It is not the exit, but the

exit access that may utilize open stairways. In Group B,

the Exception allows open exit access stairways to 50% of

the exits, assuming the other restrictions are met.

Therefore, a two story building, as described in the

requester's Comment as having one properly enclosed

stairway (i.e. exit) from the second floor could have

access to the second exit on the first floor by way of an

open stairway. Two means of egress are provided from the

second story; one by the enclosed stair and the other by

the open stair, again assuming other conditions such as

travel distance are met. The requester does not give items

like area, but two exits from the first floor are also

required, so there should be two means of egress from the

first floor.



If the building is protected throughout with automatic

sprinklers and travel distance limits are met, both

stairways could be unenclosed per Exception 4.