Presenters say building code now requires elevator lobby separation, limiting stair‑wrap solutions

The project team reviewed stair and elevator configurations for a proposed two‑unit addition and flagged a regulatory constraint: current building code requires the elevator lobby to be separate from the exit, which prevents the older practice of wrapping a stair around the elevator shaft.

"At one point, the code allowed you to even wrap the exit stair around the elevator shaft," the Presenter said, adding that the code has changed and now requires a separate elevator lobby. The Presenter noted that many older Vermont buildings still reflect the prior arrangement, which the code change has since restricted.

As a result of the separation requirement, the team examined alternate egress orientations and discussed flipping the stair direction to reduce exterior doors and potential conflicts with the bulkhead. The Presenter and Resident discussed run and landing math—nearly 12 feet floor‑to‑floor requires about 18 feet of run including landings—while balancing tight site constraints.

No formal code interpretation was issued at the meeting; the Presenter committed to coordinate with the state and the Rutland fire marshal (GJ) to confirm options and report back.