Planning Rationale
Safety and Code
The AOR shall ensure that exit widths are code compliant and that all exit pathways address life safety, fire safety, accessibility, and all other requirements necessitated by code.
Planning and Layout
Walls of Stairs towers shall be considered in planning of lateral structural systems with use of CMU/cast-in-place concrete.
Finishes
Painted CMU or painted cast-in-place concrete based on wall construction. Partition between stair and corridor would match Corridor construction. Changes in color or finish at different floor levels should be considered as a way of reinforcing intuitive wayfinding throughout the building.
Egress Stairs
These stairs are regularly utilized by students, staff, faculty and visitors. They shall be accessible off of the corridor, and their design shall be congruent with the corridor. They should be easy to locate visually, and shall be rationally arranged to allow for easy circulation, especially in the case of an emergency. Doors on hold opens must be tied to fire alarm system with a fusible link. Consideration should be made for direct egress for stairs serving Pre-K-2nd grade when located on an upper floor.
Monumental Stair
A monumental stair may be provided off of the main lobby as a communicating stair between the first and second floors to connect the more public functions such as the Library/Media Center and/or Auditorium. It is possible for this stair to be open, provided code requirements are addressed and when the budget permits.
Limited Access Stair
These stairs are typically only used by authorized personnel. These include but are not limited to mechanical equipment spaces, service and support areas, roofs, and interstitial spaces.
Daylight and Views
Natural light must be provided in all stairs that are bound by an exterior wall. In addition, a guardrail shall be added in front of any window for added occupant safety.
Underside
The area below the first stair run shall be enclosed and sprinklered. Provide a CMU wall from the floor to the underside of the stair run. Where in underside is not enclosed, the underside of the stair landings and treads are to be finished in drywall construction which shall encase sprinkler lines.
Gaps
The gap between stair runs must be designed to maintain a full enclosure to ensure that students cannot throw items down to a lower floor.
Edge Profile
Shall follow Accessibility guidelines.
Detectable Warning Strips
Detectable warning surfaces at top of stair landings shall be provided at all floors except at bottom of stair run. The leading edge of each stair tread shall have a contrasting color.
Handrails
Wrapping handrails are permissible to promote circulation along path of travel. Continuous handrails at landings are not required. Diameter and mounting height must conform to accessibility requirements. At elementary school level two heights for handrails (child and adult) shall be provided, and at the high school level an adult height shall be provided. Stainless steel shall be used at Monumental Stairs. Primed and painted handrails may be used in all other locations. Handrails must be provided as required by the Chicago Building Code and shall be designed to resist a live load of 50 plf. in any direction, and (but not concurrently) a concentrated load of 200 lbs in any direction at any point.
Guardrails
Guardrails must be provided as required by the Chicago Building Code and shall be designed to resist a live load of 50 plf. in any direction, and (but not concurrently) a concentrated load of 200 lbs in any direction at any point.
Evacuation Chairs
A non-mechanical means of egress shall be provided when required as an ADA accommodation as determined by the Office of Diverse Learners Student Services and Office of School Safety and Security based on individual need. These chairs require special instruction and training for use and must be only operated by the trained personnel. Fire evacuation chairs shall be stored in a vandal proof case outside of stair well, immediately adjacent to stairwell door to prevent impediment of path of travel in the stairwell while the individual is being placed into chair.
Area of rescue
A 30” x 48” area outside of the egress path shall be provided in the stair well at each floor level landing.