International Fire Code 2012

Major changes in the 2012 NFPA 1: Fire Code help protect jurisdictions with more powerful and comprehensive fire protection requirements for fire alarm, sprinkler, and life safety issues. Adopted in jurisdictions throughout North America, this integrated approach to fire code regulation and hazard management contains extracts from and references to more than 130 NFPA codes and standards to address the full range of fire protection and life safety issues. Source: National Fire Protection Association


Stairwell Sign Requirements – IFC 2012

Stairway ID Signs- 2012 IFC.  Chapter 10-Means of Egress

[B] 1022.9 Stairway identification signs.

A sign shall be provided at each floor landing in an interior exit stairway and ramp connecting more than three stories designating the floor level, the terminus of the top and bottom of the interior exit stairway and ramp and the identification of the stair or ramp. The signage shall also state the story of, and the direction to, the exit discharge and the availability of roof access from the interior exit stairway and ramp for the fire department. The sign shall be located 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor landing in a position that is readily visible when the doors are in the open and closed positions. In addition to the stairway identification sign, a floor-level sign in raised characters and Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor-level landing adjacent to the door leading from the interior exit stairway and ramp into the corridor to identify the floor level.

[B] 1022.9.1 Signage requirements.

Stairway identification signs shall comply with all of the following requirements:

  • The signs shall be a minimum size of 18 inches (457 mm) by 12 inches (305 mm).
  • The letters designating the identification of the interior exit stairway and ramp shall be a minimum of 11/2 inches (38 mm) in height.
  • The number designating the floor level shall be a minimum of 5 inches (127 mm) in height and located in the center of the sign.
  • All other lettering and numbers shall be a minimum of 1 inch (25 mm) in height.
  • Characters and their background shall have a nonglare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background, with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
  • When signs required by Section 1022.9 are installed in the interior exit stairways and ramps of buildings subject to Section 1024, the signs shall be made of the same materials as required by Section 1024.4.