A.
Scope. The provision of this article shall govern
the minimum condition and standards for fire safety relating to structures
and exterior premises including fire safety facilities and equipment
to be provided.
B.
Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall provide
and maintain such fire safety facilities and equipment in compliance
with these requirements and the fire prevention code. A person shall
not occupy as owner occupant or permit another person to occupy or
use any premises that do not comply with the requirements in this
section.
A.
General. A safe, continuous and unobstructed means
of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to a
public way.
B.
Locked doors. All doors in the required means of egress
shall be readily operable from the inner side without the use of keys
or special knowledge except as provided in the building code.[1] Exits from dwelling units, rooming units, guest rooms
and dormitory units shall not lead through other such units or through
toilet rooms or bathrooms,
C.
Exit signs. All means of egress shall be indicated
with approved exit signs where required by the building code. All
exit signs shall be maintained visible and all illuminated exit signs
shall be illuminated at all times that the building is occupied.
D.
Number of exits in nonresidential buildings. Every
story used for human occupancy shall be provided not less than two
independent exits. In residential buildings every story above grade
shall be provided not less than two independent exits. In stories
where more than one exit is required, all occupants shall have access
to at least two exits. Every story used for human occupancy totally
below grade greater than 2,000 square feet shall be provided with
not less than two independent exits.
E.
Exit capacity. The capacity of the exit serving a
floor shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof as determined
by the building code.
F.
Corridor enclosure. All corridors serving an occupant
load of greater than 30 and with openings therein shall provide an
effective smoke barrier. All transoms, louvers, doors and other openings
shall be closed or shall be self closing. Exception: Corridors that
are in compliance with the building code.
G.
Dead-end travel distance. All corridors which serve
more than one exit shall provide direct connection to such exits.
The length of a dead end corridor shall not exceed 35 feet where the
building is not equipped throughout with an automatic fire suppression
system. The dead end travel distance limitation shall be increased
to 50 feet where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic
fire-suppression system.
H.
Emergency escape. Every sleeping room located in a
basement shall have at least one operable window or exterior door
approved for emergency egress or rescue or shall have access to not
less than two approved independent exits.
I.
Aisles. In all mercantile occupancies, aisles shall
have a minimum unobstructed clearance of 44 inches where serving an
occupant load of greater than 50 and 36 inches where serving an occupant
load of not grater than 50.
J.
Information signs. A sign shall be provided at each
floor landing in all interior stairways more than three stories above
grade, designating the floor level above the floor of discharge. All
elevator lobby call stations on all floor levels in buildings more
than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department access shall
be marked with approved signs reading as follows: "USE STAIRWAYS IN
CASE OF FIRE - DO NOT USE ELEVATORS."
A.
Accumulations. Rubbish, garbage or other materials
shall not be stored or allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways,
doors, windows, fire exits or to other means of egress.
B.
Hazardous material. Combustibles, flammable explosives
or other hazardous material such as paints, volatile oils and cleaning
fluids or combustible rubbish such as wastepaper boxes and rags shall
not be accumulated or stored unless such storage complies with the
applicable requirements of the building code and the fire prevention
code.[1]
A.
General. The fire-resistance rating of floors, walls,
ceilings, and other elements and components shall be maintained.
B.
Maintenance. All required fire-resistance-rated doors
or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including
all hardware necessary for the proper operation thereof. The use of
doorstops, wedges and other unapproved hold-open devices is prohibited.
A.
General. All systems, devices and equipment to detect
a fire, actuate an alarm, or suppress or control a fire or any combination
thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
B.
Fire-suppression system. Fire-suppression systems
shall be maintained in good condition and operational order. Sprinkler
heads shall be maintained clean, free of corrosion, paint, and damage.
C.
Standpipe systems. Hose connections shall be identified
and accessible. The hose shall be in proper position, ready for operation,
dry and free of deterioration.
D.
Fire extinguisher. All portable fire extinguishers
shall be visible, accessible, and shall be maintained in an efficient
and safe operating condition and inspected annually.
E.
Smoke detectors. All residential occupancies shall
be provided with a minimum of one approved single-station smoke detector
in the sleeping area, guest room or suite of a hotel, motel, lodging
house, boardinghouse or dwelling unit. The detectors shall be located
in accordance with the building code. When activated, the smoke detector
shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants within the individual
room or unit.
F.
Tampering. Any one tampering or interfering with the
effectiveness of a smoke detector, safety placard, exit signs, or
fire extinguishers shall be in violation of this code.
