903.2.11.1 Above- or below-grade stories.
BC § 903.2.11.1
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every above- or below-grade story of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m 2 ) and where not fewer than one of the following types of exterior wall openings is provided: 1. Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway complying with Section 1011 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1012. Openings shall be located in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior walls facing onto a street, public way or frontage space, in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).
2.Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling not less than 20 square feet (1.86 m 2 ) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior walls facing onto a street, public way or frontage space, in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm). The bottom of the clear opening shall not exceed 36 inches (914.4 mm) measured from the floor.
