[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Mamakating 12-3-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Electrical standards — See Ch. 85.
Fire prevention and building construction — See Ch. 99.
The Town of Mamakating, being cognizant of the detrimental and disastrous effects which might be caused by a breakdown or failure of an electrical utility service supplying this Town, hereby deems it necessary and essential that an auxiliary source of emergency light and power be provided in those occupancies, as designated in this chapter, 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
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 footcandle 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
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.
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS
Buildings in which the primary or intended occupancy or use is for persons domiciled or detained under supervision and shall include convalescent, assisted living and nursing homes.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS
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.
SUMP PUMP
A pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, commonly found in residential and institutional buildings.
A. 
No building herein defined shall be occupied unless and until emergency lighting and power systems shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Emergency lighting and power. Emergency lighting and power systems shall be provided as follows:
(1) 
All residential buildings: In every building other than one- or two-family dwellings, there shall be provided an emergency lighting and power system for all common areas, exists, aisles leading directly to exits, stairways, stair enclosures, elevators and escalators and in all halls, passageways and corridors exceeding 100 feet in length, community water, wells, sewer system, heating and sump pump(s). This provision shall apply to all areas of the community centers, all townhouses, condominiums, senior-citizen and adult housing, senior housing and assisted living developments.
(2) 
Institutional buildings: For all assembly rooms, lounges, public or recreation rooms.
The sources of emergency lighting and power are subject to the approval of the Building Inspector and Town Engineer, 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 or liquid propane generators. Generators capable of supplying the rated capacity of the system must be housed in a separate building or enclosure sufficiently ventilated to the exterior. No other equipment or storage of any kind is permitted within the area containing the generator.
C. 
Gas-powered or liquid propane 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 eight hours or for such longer periods of time as required by the Building Inspector 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 Building Inspector 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, or ordinance, law or code of the Town of Mamakating 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 Mamakating 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 $500 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 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.