HomeMy WebLinkAboutEgress Letter 8/22/25 ,."" Y
,jog A. TOWN OF YARMOUTH
.eIalcil , - o, Office of the Building Commissioner
1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
y 508-398-2231 ext. 1260 Fax 508-398-0836
C�RPORAT f Edward Stafford
269D South Sea Ave
West Yarmouth,MA 02673 ��,,qq� b�l, ,,n1-1 A August 22,2025
RE: 738 Willow St—BLDR-25-241 Means of Egress
Dear Mr. Stafford,
The Building Department received an application on June 10, 2025, for this address to construct a garage with a dwelling
unit above.The plans submitted did not show the required second means of egress,and the application was put on hold until
an updated plan was submitted.An updated plan was submitted(dated 8-20-25)that shows a single stairway from the second
floor leading to a hallway with 2 exit doors. Section R311.1 of the 9`h Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code
requires 2 means of egress.
R311.1 Means of Egress.Dwelling units shall be provided with a primary and secondary means of egress in accordance
with this section. Each means of egress shall provide a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress
travel from all portions of the dwelling to the egress doors. The primary means of egress shall not require travel through a
garage but the secondary means of egress may. The required egress doors shall open directly into a public way or to a yard
or court that opens to a public way.
Notes:
1. In multi-level dwellings including, but not limited to townhouses, split-level and raised ranch style layouts, the two
separate egress doors may be located on different levels.
2. Where site topography prevents direct access at two remote locations to grade from the normal level of entry, the two
separate egress doors may be located on different levels.
The building code defines means of egress in Chapter 2 of the IBC.
Means of Egress.A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion
of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access,
the exit and the exit discharge.
It is the determination of this department that the plan dated August 20, 2025, does not meet the requirements of section
R311.1
You have the right to appeal this decision per MGL Ch 143 §100,to the Board of Building Regulations and Standards within
45 days of receiving this letter.
Questions in this matter may be directed to this department.
Very Truly,
Tim Sears CBO
Deputy Building Commissioner
Town of Yarmouth
C: Owner