Vestibules

Based on information gathered from section 802.3.6, Vestibules of the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code® (Page 59 of Acceptable Practice for Commercial Building).  The following information needs to be evaluated as applied to your facility entrance and exit conditions.

I.             GENERAL

A door that separates conditioned space from the exterior shall be protected with an enclosed vestibule, with all doors opening into and out of the vestibule equipped with self-closing devices.  An enclosed vestibule is defined as an “airlock” with either all partitions extended to the underside of the roof deck or a hard-lid ceiling (glass, gypsum board, ACT, etc.) that is installed above the entire vestibule area.

Vestibules shall be designed so that in passing through the vestibule, it is not necessary for the interior and exterior doors to open at the same time.

II.         EXCEPTIONS

  • Buildings in Climate Zones 1a through 4b as indicated in Table 302.1 of the IECC.  The applicable Climate Zone will need to be verified with the project location in order to verify compliance with the vestibule exception; (see attached maps showing overall U.S.A. coverage and individual states—CA, AZ, TX, LA, MS, Al, GA).  Note:  The entire state of Florida is included as part of this caption.

  • Doors not intended to be used as a building entrance door, such as doors to mechanical or electrical equipment rooms.

  • Doors opening directly from a guestroom or dwelling unit.

  • Doors that open directly from a space less than 3,000 square feet (298m2) in area.

  • Revolving doors.

  • Doors used primarily to facilitate vehicular movement or material handling and adjacent personnel doors.

III.        SUMMARY

            The region of proposed projects will have to be carefully calculated for compliance with the listed exception because this area is a relatively small portion of the entire country.  It appears that, if no exceptions are present, these requirements will be enforced.

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