THE CODE CONNECTION

I'm working on a new building that has an open stairway connecting more than three floors. If I enclose the lower level stair with a smoke partition is the stair comply with the intent of exception 7 in section 707.2?

Sorry Mike - I don't think so. Exception 7 is aimed at floor openings that are not part of the means of egress. A good example is a set of supplemental stairs that connect only 2 floors. See also 1005.3.2 exceptions 8 and 9 for unenclosed stairs. To interconnect more than 2 stories, they may not be part of the required means of egress.