[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Scope. The provisions of this Part 9 are to provide a reasonable degree of safety to persons occupying existing buildings that do not conform with the minimum requirements of the Building Code by requiring the following alterations to such existing buildings.
2. 
Application of Other Codes. All alterations to an existing building which are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code shall be done in accordance with the applicable procedures and provisions of the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Codes.
3. 
Continued Maintenance. All service equipment, means of egress devices and safeguards which are required by this Part 9 or which were required by a previous statute or another code in a building or structure when erected, altered or repaired shall be maintained in good working order. The requirements of this Part 9 are not to provide the basis for removal or abrogation of fire-protection and safety systems and devices in existing buildings. These requirements are intended to require that existing buildings which do not comply with these provisions be altered to provide a minimum level of safety as required herein.
4. 
Alternative Methods and Systems. The provisions of this Part 9 are not to exclude the acceptance and approval of alternative methods and systems if such alternative methods and systems provide equivalent safety to the occupant of the existing buildings.
5. 
Responsibility. The owner of the existing building or structure shall provide and maintain such facilities, equipment and systems in compliance with these requirements and the Fire Prevention Code.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Number of Exits.
A. 
Every story used for human occupancy more than six stories above grade shall be provided not less than two independent exits. Every story used for human occupancy totally below grade greater than 2,000 square feet (186 m) shall be provided not less than two independent exits.
B. 
Exceptions. A single exit is acceptable when:
(1) 
The building is provided an automatic fire-suppression system and an automatic fire alarm system with smoke detectors located in all corridors, lobbies and common areas; or
(2) 
The building is provided an automatic fire alarm system and the exit is a smokeproof enclosure or pressurized stairway; or
(3) 
An existing fire escape or slide escape conforming to the Building Code is provided in addition to the single exit.
2. 
Exit Enclosure. All interior exits shall be enclosed with approved assemblies except as provided in Table 902(2).
Table 902(2)
Enclosure Exceptions
Building Use Group
Exception Conditionsa
Business
When connecting not more than two floor levels and less than 3,500 square feet per floor;
When connecting not more than three floor levels and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Education
When connecting not more than two floor levels and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Factory-industrial storage
When connecting not more than two floor levels;
When connecting not more than three floor levels and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Mercantile
When connecting not more than two floor levels and less than 2,000 square feet per floor;
When connecting not more than two floor levels and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Residential-hotels
When connecting not more than two floor levels and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Residential-apartment
When connecting not more than two floor levels with not more than four dwelling units per floor;
When connecting not more than three floor levels with not more than four dwelling units per floor and the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system
Residential one- and two-family dwellings
In every case
NOTES:
Note a:
1 square foot = 0.093 m2
A. 
Enclosure Rating. Enclosures connecting not more than six floor levels shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour with approved opening protectives. Enclosures connecting more than six floor levels shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours with approved opening protectives.
3. 
Exit Capacity. The capacity of the exits serving a floor shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof as determined by the Building Code.
4. 
Corridor Enclosure. All corridors serving an occupant load of greater than 30 and openings therein are to provide an effective smoke barrier. All transoms, louvers, doors and other openings are to be closed or be self-closing.
5. 
Dead-End Travel Distance.
A. 
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 (10,668 mm).
B. 
Exception. The dead-end travel distance limit shall be increased to 70 feet (21,336 mm) when the building is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Enclosure. All shafts shall be enclosed as required by § 5-902, Subsections 2 and 2A, for exits except elevator and supplemental stairway shafts which are immediately adjacent to and not separated from floor openings connecting the same floors served by the shaft. The opening protectives shall provide a substantial barrier to fire penetration. Building service shafts such as trash chutes, utility and duct shafts shall be enclosed as required by § 5-902, Subsections 2 and 2A.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Egress Illumination. All means of egress shall be equipped with artificial lighting in accordance with the Building Code. Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with the Building Code.
2. 
Exit Signs. All exits shall be indicated with exit signs in accordance with the Building Code.
3. 
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 (22,860 mm) above grade shall be marked with approved signs reading as follows: USE STAIRWAYS IN CASE OF FIRE - DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
High-Hazard Use. All buildings and portions thereof of high-hazard use shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire-suppression system.
2. 
Commercial Range Hoods. All range hoods and connecting duct systems when used in conjunction with frying and cooking operations, except domestic range hoods not used for commercial purposes, shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire-suppression system.
3. 
Fire Standpipes. All buildings having floors used for human occupancy located more than six stories above grade shall be provided with standpipes according to the Building Code. The standpipes shall have an approved Fire Department connection with hose connections at each floor level.
4. 
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 installed in accordance with the Building Code. When actuated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants within the individual room or unit.
5. 
Fire Alarm System. All buildings of educational use shall be equipped with a manual fire alarm system in accordance with the Building Code.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Required. All buildings having floors used for human occupancy located more than six stories above grade served by elevators shall have at least one elevator equipped with emergency controls and all elevators shall be equipped with car recall activated by a smoke detector in each lobby in accordance with the Building Code.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Smoke and Heat Detection. Each recirculating air or exhaust system which serves more than one floor in buildings which exceed six stories in height shall be equipped with approved smoke and heat detection devices in accordance with the Mechanical Code. The devices shall stop the fan(s) automatically and shall be of the manual reset type. Automatic fan shutdown is not required when the system is part of an approved smoke removal or control system.