Excerpts from 2000 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®

1003.2.13.1 General.

Each required accessible means of egress shall be continuous to a public way and shall consist of one or more of the following components:

1. Accessible routes complying with Section 1104.

2. Stairways within exit enclosures complying with Sections 1003.2.13.2 and 1005.3.2.

3. Elevators complying with Section 1003.2.13.3.

4. Horizontal exits.

5. Smoke barriers.

Exceptions:

1. Where the exit discharge is not accessible, an exterior area for assisted rescue must be provided in accordance with Section 1003.2.13.7.

2. Where the exit stairway is open to the exterior, the accessible means of egress shall include either an area of refuge in accordance with Section 1003.2.13.5 or an exterior area for assisted rescue in accordance with Section 1003.2.13.7.

1003.2.13.1.1 Buildings with four or more stories.

In buildings where a required accessible floor is four or more stories above or below a level of exit discharge, at least one required accessible means of egress shall be an elevator complying with Section 1003.2.13.3.

Exceptions:

1. In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the elevator shall not be required on floors provided with a horizontal exit and located at or above the level of exit discharge.

2. In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the elevator shall not be required on floors provided with a ramp conforming to the provisions of Section 1003.3.4.