No person shall let for occupancy any structure
or part thereof unless that part of the structure and all common parts
are in compliance with the requirements of this article.
In lodging houses or where lodging units and
dwelling units are located within the same structure, the Code Official
will coordinate with the Fire Marshal's office for the enforcement
of egress requirements in accordance with the Life Safety Code.
In multifamily dwellings having one or more
dwelling units above the first story, every dwelling unit shall have
access to at least two remote exitways. Such exitways may use common
or connecting corridors, but the two required exitways from any one
dwelling unit shall not use a common stairway or ladder. Such exitways
may not use ropes or similar devices, and may use fire escapes and
ladders only as allowed by this article. One- and two-family dwellings
shall require access to two remote exitways only when located in a
structure where a nonresidential unit is located.
A.
All egress doors in multifamily dwellings that open
to interior common corridors or stairways shall be at least one and
three-fourths inch solid bonded wood core doors or equivalent. Exception:
Structures which are equipped with an approved fire suppression system
installed throughout the structure.
B.
Doors in multifamily dwellings leading to common corridors
and stairways shall be equipped with self-closing devices capable
of closing and latching the door. Exception: Structures which are
equipped with an approved fire suppression system installed throughout
the structure.
A.
Whenever a fire escape is provided as an exitway or
part thereof it shall consist of an access opening, access platform
and railing, stairway and railing or ladder, intermediate landing
and railing if over one story, and ground level discharge. Ladders
shall be permitted only for the second story of a structure and also
for a half-story above the second story. In no case shall fire escape
ladders or stairways descend more than one story without an intermediate
platform and a separate ladder or stairway descending to ground level.
All ladders shall be permanently installed in a fixed position and
shall be capable of being collapsed into a single rail configuration
and shall be supported by rigid connection to the structure.
B.
All fire escapes shall be maintained in a safe and
structurally sound condition, painted to prevent rust and free from
obvious defects.
C.
Every fire escape shall meet the following requirements:
(1)
The access window or door opening shall provide a
clear opening of not less than 5.7 square feet in area. At no time
shall the width be less than 20 inches nor shall the height be less
than 24 inches to determine the required 5.7 square feet.
(2)
Every balcony platform shall extend on each side beyond
the access opening and shall be a minimum of 36 inches in length (parallel
to the wall) and 30 inches in width (perpendicular to the wall) and
shall be installed not more than eight inches below a door and not
less than 12 inches nor more than 18 inches below a window sill.
(3)
Every stairway landing not serving as an access balcony
shall be not less than 36 inches in length (parallel to the wall)
and not less than 22 inches wide (perpendicular to the wall).
(4)
Every balcony, landing and stairway shall have a railing
not less than 30 inches nor more than 36 inches high with vertical
balusters not more than nine inches apart and shall be capable of
withstanding a concentrated load of 200 pounds applied in any direction
at the top of the rail.
(5)
Every fire escape shall be designed to support a live
load of 100 pounds per square foot and shall be constructed of iron,
steel or other metal in design having equivalent strength and resistance
to corrosion. Every platform or stair tread shall consist of one-eighth-inch
by one-inch flat bars on edge one inch apart with adequate bracing.
(6)
All fastenings for fire escape platforms and stairways
shall pass through the wall and securely fasten on the opposite side
or shall fasten to the framework of the structure by four-and-one-half-inch
by three-eights-inch galvanized lag bolts with not less than four
to be incorporated in supporting each angle brace.
(7)
All stairs shall be a minimum width of 22 inches clearance
between rails, a maximum of nine inches rise, and a minimum of nine
inches tread. Stairs shall have a maximum height of 12 feet between
landings and a minimum of six feet six inches headroom. Fire escapes
shall discharge to the ground level by a fixed stair, swinging stair,
or by ladder where allowed by this article.
(8)
There shall be a minimum of 26 inches and a maximum
of 28 inches clearance between any platform and ladder.
(9)
Ladder rails shall be one-and-one-half-inch by one-and-one-half-inch
by one-eighth-inch angle or channel and shall be 16 inches apart.
(10)
Ladder rungs shall be 7/8 inch in diameter or
one-eighth inch by one-inch by one-inch angle and there shall be 10
inches to 12 inches distance between rungs with the lowest rung 12
inches from the ground and shall be fastened with three-eighths-inch
bolts in one-half-inch holes in the rails and three-eighths-inch holes
in the rungs to provide a "sloppy" fit. The rail not fixed to the
structure must touch the ground with a pad.
(11)
Permits are required before installation of
any fire escape or part thereof.
A.
Annunciation devices in dwelling units.
(1)
Every dwelling unit shall be protected by smoke detection/alarm
devices as specified by this article. All smoke detection/alarm devices
required by this article shall be listed by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory and installed in a manner consistent with the requirements
of the City Building Code.[1] Where this section requires that smoke detection/alarm
devices be powered by the building electrical service, a permit shall
be obtained from the Code Enforcement Department prior to the commencement
of work. All smoke detection/alarm devices and associated equipment
shall be maintained in operating condition at all times.
(2)
At least one approved smoke detection/alarm device
powered by the building electrical service shall be installed at every
level in every dwelling unit.
(3)
The required smoke detection/alarm devices within
a dwelling unit shall be located in the proximity of the bedroom(s).
When the bedrooms are so arranged that one smoke detection/alarm device
will not protect all bedroom areas, one or more additional smoke detection/alarm
device shall be installed to ensure that a smoke detection/alarm device
exists in the proximity of all bedroom areas.
(4)
Every basement/cellar stairway leading directly into
a dwelling unit or which is entirely within a dwelling unit shall
have a smoke detection/alarm device located on the ceiling at the
foot of the stairway. Exception: Smoke detection/alarm devices not
powered by the building electrical service which were installed prior
to July 1, 1984, may be continued in service and are deemed to meet
the requirements of this article until such time as they are in need
of being replaced.
B.
Annunciation devices in common areas. In buildings
containing two or more dwelling units, common corridors and stairways
shall have a smoke detection/alarm device at each level which are
powered by the building electrical service. A permit shall be obtained
from the Code Enforcement Department prior to the commencement of
work. All devices and equipment required by this article shall be
listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and installed
in a manner consistent with the requirements of the City Building
Code. All smoke detection/alarm devices and associated equipment shall
be maintained in operating condition at all times.
A.
All structures having 12 or more dwelling units having
one or more dwelling units entirely located higher than the second
floor shall have an approved water sprinkler system, installed throughout
the structure in accordance with the City Building Code, and maintained
in accordance with the Fire Prevention Code.[1]
B.
This section shall be effective January 1, 1992.
