Dead-end corridors occur when a corridor extends beyond the designated egress path, potentially causing occupants to double back in search of an exit. In fully sprinklered buildings, dead-end corridors are typically limited to 50 feet. However, in Assembly occupancies, the limit remains at 20 feet, regardless of whether a sprinkler system is installed. Architects often position egress stairs in the building’s interior to maximize natural light for the occupiable spaces, making dead-end corridors a common issue in both new construction and renovations. These situations are frequently addressed by installing cross-corridor doors that are held open by magnetic door releases, tied into the fire alarm system, and automatically release when the alarm is triggered.
However, whether this is a code compliant solution is open to the interpretation of the code official. Jigsaw Life Safety has recently come across an ICC Interpretations Committee document that provides additional support for the use of cross corridor doors to mitigate this condition. The question and answer are excerpted below:
Q: In general, Section 1020.5 limits the length of dead-end corridors depending on occupancy and whether the building is protected with an NFPA 13 sprinkler system. Is the placement of an intervening door, which does not swing in the direction of egress travel, permitted to be used to satisfy the dead-end requirements of Section 1020.5?
A: Yes. The installation of an intervening door within a corridor may be utilized to meet the dead-end corridor maximum length requirements of Section 1020.5. The strategic location of an intervening door, which does not swing in the directino of egress travel and is not provided with exit signage, significantly increases the probability that the occupant will turn around instead of continuing beyond the door into the last section of the dead-end corridor looking for an exit. The placement of the intervening door must be such that each corridor segment on either side of the door is within the dead-end corridor length requirements of Section 1020.5.
Please note that all other egress requirements, such as those related to the number of exits and the common path of travel, would still apply to the building. If you have any questions related to how these requirements apply to your project, please contact us at support@jigsawlifesafety.com.
