Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 521 CMR - Architectural Access Board › Title 521 CMR 20 - Accessible Route › Section 20.12 - AREAS OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Shall be provided where an
accessible means of egress
is not provided and shall comply with the following requirements:
Exception:
Areas of rescue assistance
are not required in:
a. existing buildings undergoing alterations, remodeling, reconstruction
b.
buildings
or
facilities
having a supervised automatic sprinkler systems
c. tunnels;
d. open air parking garages and open air transit stations
20.12.1 Location and
Construction
: An
area of rescue assistance
shall be one of the following:
a. A portion of a stairway landing within a smokeproof enclosure (complying with applicable requirements of 780 CMR (The Massachusetts State Building Code).
See
Fig. 20i
.
Click to view
				image
b. A portion of an exterior exit balcony located immediately adjacent to an exit stairway when the balcony complies with applicable requirements of 780 CMR (The Massachusetts State Building Code) for exterior exit balconies. Openings to the interior of the building located within 20 feet (20' = 6m) of the
area of rescue assistance
shall be protected with fire assemblies having a ¾ hour fire protection rating.
c. A portion of a one hour fire-resistive corridor (complying with applicable requirements of 780 CMR: the State Building Code for fire-resistive construction and for openings) located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure. (
See
Fig. 20j
)
Click to view
				image
d. A vestibule located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure and constructed to the same fire-resistive standards controlling corridors and openings.
e. A portion of a stairway landing within an exit enclosure which is vented to the exterior and is separated from the interior of the building with not less than one hour fire-resistive doors.
f. When approved by the appropriate applicable building official, an area or a room that is separated from other portions of the
building
by a smoke barrier. Smoke barriers shall have a fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour and shall completely enclose the area or room. Doors in the smoke barrier shall be tight-fitting smoke- and draft-control assemblies having a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes and shall be self-closing or automatic closing. The area or room shall be provided with an exit directly to an exit enclosure. Where the room or area exits into an exit enclosure which is required to be of more than one hour fire-resistive
construction
, the room or area shall have the same fire-resistive
construction
, including the same opening protection, as required for the adjacent exit enclosure.
g. An elevator lobby where elevator shafts and adjacent lobbies are pressurized as required for smokeproof enclosures by 780 CMR: the State Building Code or 524 CMR: the State Board of Elevator Regulations, and when complying with requirements herein for size, communication, and
signage
. Such pressurization system shall be activated by smoke detectors on each floor located in a manner approved by the appropriate local authority. Pressurization equipment and its duct work within the building shall be separated from other portions of the building by a minimum two-hour fire restrictive construction.
h. A flat level area that is stable, firm and slip resistant adjacent to the exit discharge in locations where the public way is further than 100 feet from the building.