Appendix P Sleeping Lofts
Section P101 General
P101.1 General.
Where provided in Group R occupancies, sleeping lofts shall comply with the provisions of this code, except as modified by this appendix. Sleeping lofts constructed in compliance with this appendix shall be considered a portion of the storybelow. Such sleeping lofts shall not contribute to either the building area or number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The sleeping loft floor area shall be included in determining the fire area.
The following sleeping lofts are exempt from compliance with this appendix:
- 1.
Sleeping lofts with a maximum depth of less than 3 feet (914 mm).
- 2.
Sleeping lofts with a floor area of less than 35 square feet (3.3 m2).
- 3.
Sleeping lofts not provided with a permanent means of egress.
P101.2 Sleeping loft limitations.
Sleeping lofts shall comply with the following:
- 1.
The sleeping loft floor area shall be less than 70 square feet (6.5 m2).
- 2.
The sleeping loft ceiling height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134 mm) for more than one-half of the sleeping loft floor area.
The provisions of this appendix shall not apply to sleeping lofts that do not comply with Items 1 and 2.
P101.3 Sleeping loft ceiling height.
The clear height below the sleeping loft floor construction shall be not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). The ceiling height above the finished floor of the sleeping loft shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm). Portions of the sleeping loft with a sloped ceiling measuring less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not contribute to the sleeping loft floor area.
P101.4 Sleeping loft area.
The aggregate area of all sleeping lofts and mezzanines within a room shall comply with Section 505.2.1.
Exception: The area of a single sleeping loft shall not be greater than two-thirds of the area of the room in which it is located, provided that no other sleeping lofts or mezzanines are open to the room in which the sleeping loft is located.
Section P102 Definitions
P102.1 General.
The following term shall, for the purposes of this appendix, have the meaning shown herein. Refer to Chapter 2 for general definitions.
SLEEPING LOFT.
A space on an intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of a Group R occupancy dwelling or sleeping unit, open on one or more sides to the room in which the sleeping loft is located.
Section P103 Means of Egress
P103.2 Ceiling height at sleeping loft means of egress.
A minimum ceiling height of 3 feet (914 mm) shall be provided for the entire width of the means of egress from the sleeping loft.
P103.3 Stairways.
Stairways providing egress from sleeping lofts shall be permitted to comply with Sections P103.3.1 through P103.3.3.
P103.3.1 Width.
Stairways providing egress from a sleeping loft shall not be less than 17 inches (432 mm) in clear width at or above the handrail. The width below the handrail shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).
P103.3.2 Treads and risers.
Risers for stairs providing egress from a sleeping loft shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not more than 12 inches (305 mm) in height. Tread depth and riser height shall be calculated in accordance with one of the following formulas:
- 1.
The tread depth shall be 20 inches (508 mm) minus four-thirds of the riser height.
- 2.
The riser height shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minus three-fourths of the tread depth.
P103.4 Alternating tread devices.
Alternating tread devices shall be permitted as a means of egress from sleeping lofts, where the sleeping loft floor is not more than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the room to which it is open. Handrails and treads of such alternating tread devices shall comply with Section 1011.14.
P103.6 Ladders.
Ladders shall be permitted as a means of egress from sleeping lofts where the sleeping loft floor is not more than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the room to which it is open. Such ladders shall comply with Sections P103.6.1 and P103.6.2.
P103.6.1 Size and capacity.
Ladders providing egress from sleeping lofts shall have a rung width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), and 10-inch (254 mm) to 14-inch (356 mm) spacing between rungs. Ladders shall be capable of supporting a 300-pound (136 kg) load on any rung. Rung spacing shall be uniform within 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
P103.6.2 Incline.
Ladders shall be inclined at 70 to 80 degrees (1.22 to 1.4 rad) from horizontal.