The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions
and standards for fire safety relating to structures and exterior
premises, including fire safety facilities and equipment to be provided.
The owner of the premises shall provide and maintain such fire
safety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements.
A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person
to occupy any premises that do not comply with the requirements of
this chapter.
A safe, continuous and unobstructed path of travel shall be
provided from any point in a building or structure to the public way.
Means of egress shall comply with the International Fire Code.
The required width of aisles in accordance with the International
Fire Code shall be unobstructed.
Means of egress doors shall be readily openable from the side
from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special
knowledge or effort, except where the door hardware conforms to that
permitted by the International Building Code.
Required emergency escape openings shall be maintained in accordance
with the code in effect at the time of construction, and the following.
Required emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational
from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. Bars,
grilles, grates or similar devices are permitted to be placed over
emergency escape and rescue openings provided the minimum net clear
opening size complies with the code that was in effect at the time
of construction and such devices shall be releasable or removable
from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than
that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue
opening.
The required fire-resistance rating of fire-resistance-rated
walls, fire stops, shaft enclosures, partitions and floors shall be
maintained.
Required opening protectives shall be maintained in an operative
condition. Fire and smokestop doors shall be maintained in operable
condition. Fire doors and smoke barrier doors shall not be blocked
or obstructed or otherwise made inoperable.
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 an operable condition at all times in accordance
with the International Fire Code.
Inspection, testing and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems
shall be in accordance with NFPA 25.
Where the fire department connection is not visible to approaching
fire apparatus, the fire department connection shall be indicated
by an approved sign mounted on the street front or on the side of
the building. Such sign shall have the letters "FDC" not less than
6 inches (152 mm) high and words in letters not less than 2 inches
(51 mm) high or an arrow to indicate the location. Such signs shall
be subject to the approval of the Fire Code Official.
Single-and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies in accordance with Sections
13-704.2.1 through
13-704.2.3.
Smoke alarms shall be installed not less than 3 feet (914 mm) horizontally from the door or opening of a bathroom that contains a bathtub or shower unless this would prevent placement of a smoke alarm required by Section
13-704.2.1.1 or
13-704.2.1.2.