[HISTORY: Comes from L.L. No. 1-1967, adopted 1-24-1967, effective as to existing buildings 8-1-1967, effective as to all other buildings 1-27-1967.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction administration — See Ch. 86.
Housing and Rehabilitation Code — See Ch. 88.
Fallout shelters — See Ch. 92.
Licensing places of public assembly — See Ch. 96.
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Editor's Note: The original Section 1.0 of this chapter stated the legislative findings and intent of the Board as follows:
"The Town of Hempstead, being cognisant of the detrimental and disastrous effects which might be caused by a breakdown or failure of an electrical utility service supplying this township, hereby deems it necessary and essential that an auxiliary source of emergency light and power be provided in those occupancies, as designated in this local law, for the maintenance and preservation of the health, safety and general welfare of the populace of this town."
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
Is an independent lighting system, other than that of the principal lighting system, powered by a source of electricity independent of such principal lighting system, which is capable of providing an amount of illumination for exits, aisles, halls, passageways, corridors, stairways or other areas so as to provide a light intensity of at least 0.5 foot-candle power at the floor or ground level for a period of not less than 30 minutes, and which shall operate automatically and independently in the event of failure of the electrical current in the principal lighting system.
EMERGENCY POWER
Is an independent power system, other than that supplied by the principal electrical system, which will generate a sufficient quantity of electricity to operate all electrically powered machines, equipment, instruments, devices or contrivances as required in this chapter.
BUSINESS BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is the transaction of administrative, business, civic or professional service, and where the handling of goods, wares or merchandise in limited quantities is incidental to the primary occupancy or use. Newsstands, lunch counters, barberhops and similar service facilities shall be such incidental occupancies or uses.
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is the manufacture or processing of products of all kinds, including operations such as making, altering, assembling, bottling, canning, finishing, handling, mixing, packaging, repairing, cleaning, laundering and similar operations.
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is for persons domiciled or detained under supervision and shall include convalescent, old-age and nursing homes.
MERCANTILE BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is the display and sale to the public of goods, wares or merchandise.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is the assembly for amusement, athletic, civic, dining, educational, entertainment, patriotic, political, recreational, religious, social, sports or similar purposes.
STORAGE BUILDINGS
Are buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is the storage of or shelter for goods, merchandise, products, vehicles or animals.
OCCUPANCY OR OCCUPIED
The physical presence in a building referred to herein by a person or persons as transients or for a longer period of time whether pursuant to a certificate of occupancy or otherwise.
A. 
No building herein defined shall be occupied unless and until emergency lighting systems shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting systems shall be provided as follows:
(1) 
All buildings: In every building other than one- or two-family dwellings, there shall be provided an emergency lighting system for all exits, aisles leading directly to exits, stairways, stair enclosures, elevators and escalators and in all halls, passageways and corridors exceeding 100 feet in length.
(2) 
Business and mercantile buildings:
(a) 
In each first floor area exceeding 5,000 square feet.
(b) 
In each floor area above or below the first floor exceeding 2,500 square feet.
(3) 
Industrial buildings:
(a) 
In each area where the distance of travel to a required exit exceeds 100 feet.
(b) 
In each first floor area exceeding 10,000 square feet.
(c) 
In each floor area above or below the first floor exceeding 5,000 square feet.
(4) 
Institutional buildings:
(a) 
For all assembly rooms, lounges, public or recreation rooms.
(5) 
Public assembly buildings:
(a) 
In every public assembly area, room or enclosure having a capacity in excess of 100 persons.
(b) 
In rooms of school buildings in which the area of such rooms, designated for instructional or athletic purposes, exceeds 1,800 square feet.
(6) 
Storage buildings.
(a) 
In each area where the distance of travel to a required exit exceeds 150 feet.
(b) 
In each first floor area exceeding 20,000 square feet.
(c) 
In each floor area above or below the first floor exceeding 10,000 square feet.
C. 
Emergency lighting and emergency power. Emergency lighting and/or power shall be provided in those spaces in hospitals, institutions or other occupancies wherein operating rooms, emergency rooms, mechanical breathing equipment or other equipment or devices are located which are dependent on electricity to maintain continuous operation to sustain life or provide emergency treatment. The emergency source shall be capable of maintaining the required emergency lighting and/or power for a continuous period of at least 24 hours.
[Amended 8-14-1973 by L.L. No. 77-1973, effective 8-17-1973]
The sources of emergency lighting and power are subject to the approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings, and the kind of installation thereof shall be provided for by whatever method or combination of methods which will ensure the desired result. Sources and methods may be selected from among the following, but are not limited to those which are set forth:
A. 
Portable light units. Battery-operated units, supplying lighting systems only, fixed in position and connected to the principal lighting system.
B. 
Gasoline-powered generators. Generators capable of supplying the rated capacity of the system must be housed in a separate building sufficiently ventilated to the exterior. No other equipment or storage of any kind is permitted within the area containing the generator.
C. 
Gas-powered generators. Generators capable of supplying the rated capacity of the system may be housed in a fireproof enclosure within the building with no openings to the interior and shall be provided with sufficient ventilation to the exterior. Such generators shall not be placed in a room containing other equipment, and storage of any kind is prohibited within the enclosure.
A. 
It shall be the responsibility of each owner, agent, lessee or tenant of any building or occupancy requiring emergency lighting and/or power, as required by this chapter, to submit a plan of the layout of such system to the Building Department for approval prior to installation, showing the number of units, size, location and the life and replacement span of the power source as recommended by the manufacturer, and any other pertinent or requested information applicable thereto.
B. 
Emergency lighting and power sources shall be capable of sustaining such lighting and/or power for a minimum period of 30 minutes or for such longer periods of time, as required by the Commissioner of Buildings, due to the presence of special or unusual conditions.
C. 
Transfer to the required emergency lighting and/or power source shall be made within 15 seconds upon failure of the principal system.
D. 
All exit lights and exit directional signs shall be connected to or supplied with emergency lighting.
E. 
All emergency lighting and/or power systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times while the buildings, as defined in this chapter, are occupied.
F. 
It shall be the duty of the inspecting officer of the Building Department to inspect the installation upon completion to ascertain whether the system has been installed in conformity with the approved plans, prior to approval and acceptance by the Building Department, and at such other times to determine whether or not such system is being maintained in an operative condition.
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of any building, fire, safety or health law, ordinance, law or code of this Town of Hempstead existing on the effective date of this chapter, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health, safety and welfare of the people shall prevail. In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of any other law, ordinance or code of this Town of Hempstead existing on the effective date of this chapter which establishes a lower standard for the promotion and protection of the health, safety and welfare of the people, the provision of this chapter shall be deemed to prevail, and such other laws, ordinances or codes are hereby declared to be repealed to the extent that they may be in conflict with this chapter.
A. 
For any and every offense against the provisions of this chapter, the owner, general agent or contractor of a building or premises where such offense shall have been committed or shall exist, and the lessee or tenant of an entire building or entire premises where such offense shall have been committed or shall exist, or the owner, general agent, contractor, lessee or tenant of any part of the building or premises in which such offense has been committed or shall exist, and the general agent, architect, builder, contractor or any other person who knowingly commits, takes part or assists in the commission of any such offense or who maintains a building or premises in which any offense shall exist, is guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
B. 
In the event that such offense shall continue for a period in excess of one week, each additional week or part of week shall constitute a separate violation.
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Editor's Note: Amended 3-19-1968 by L.L. No. 4-1968; effective 4-8-1968.