Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 50 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-BUILDINGS › MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › Section 50.94 - Fixed seating

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The spacing
				  of rows of seats shall provide a space of not less than 12 inches from the back
				  of one seat to the front of the most forward projection of the seat immediately
				  behind it, when the seat is in the down position, as measured horizontally
				  between vertical planes.
(b) Aisles
				  shall be provided so that no more than six seats intervene between any seat and
				  the aisle or aisles, except that the number of seats in a row may not be
				  limited when self-raising seats are provided which leave an unobstructed
				  passage between rows of seats of not less than 18 inches in width leading to
				  side aisles in which exit doors are located at not more than 25 foot
				  intervals.
(c) Seats without
				  dividing arms shall have their capacity determined by allowing 18 inches per
				  person.
(d) Every aisle shall lead
				  to an exit door or to a cross aisle that is running parallel with the seat rows
				  and leading directly to an exit door. In places of assembly where seating is
				  provided, side aisles running at right angles to the seat rows and adjacent to
				  exterior walls may not be less than 36 inches in width. Aisles having seats on
				  both sides may not be less in width than 36 inches, plus 1/4 inch for every
				  foot of length from their point of beginning to an exit door, or for their
				  length between cross aisles. Cross aisles shall be not less in width than the
				  widest connecting aisle.
(e) Aisles
				  shall be used only for passage to and from seats and shall be kept
				  unobstructed.
(f) Steps shall not
				  be placed in aisles unless the gradient would exceed 1 foot rise in 10 feet
				  run. Steps, when necessary, shall be grouped, and so far as practicable
				  isolated steps shall be avoided. The steps shall extend across the full width
				  of the aisles and shall be illuminated; treads and risers shall conform with
				  the requirements for exit stairs under §
										50.26(b)
				  (relating to intercommunicating stairway).
(g) In balconies and galleries having more
				  than 20 rows of seats, there shall be provided a cross aisle not less than 4
				  feet wide leading directly to an exit, if there is in no case a difference of
				  level exceeding 11 feet between the lowest or highest seat platform and cross
				  aisle or between intermediate cross aisles.
(h) The fascia of boxes, balconies and
				  galleries shall have substantial railings not less than 26 inches above the
				  floor. Aisles which intersect the fascia shall have railways along the fascia
				  not less than 30 inches above the floor for the width of the aisle. Stairs
				  which intersect the fascia shall have railings along the fascia not less than
				  36 inches above the floor for the width of the stair. Cross aisles shall have
				  railings not less than 26 inches above the floor except where the backs of the
				  seats on the front of the aisle project 24 inches or more above the floor of
				  the aisle.
(i) In balconies,
				  galleries or other locations where seats are arranged on platforms or
				  successive tiers and the height of rise from one platform to another below and
				  in front of it exceeds 21 inches, a substantial railing not less than 30 inches
				  high shall be placed at the edge of platform along the entire row of
				  seats.
(j) Stairways from
				  balconies, galleries, boxes or loges, discharging through a public lobby shall
				  discharge in a direction parallel to and travel with the exit from the main
				  assembly floor or shall have a rail separating the lines of travel. No more
				  than 50% of the total exit capacity from a place of public assembly, or from a
				  balcony or tier thereof, shall be through a single public lobby.
(k) Enclosed exit stairways from balconies
				  shall be provided to accomodate 1/3 of the balcony capacity; except for
				  balconies with capacities less than 200, no stairways need be
				  enclosed.
(l) One means of egress
				  is permissible for balconies of 600 square feet in area if the exitway is 1 1/2
				  units in width.