13-64-020 Special enclosures and separations.

   (a)   In all multiple dwellings every dwelling unit shall be separated from all other parts of the building by walls or partitions of noncombustible construction, or of construction consisting of wood studs with metal lath and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, or with perforated gypsum board and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, and shall provide fire-resistance of not less than one hour.

   (b)   In multiple dwellings partitions, floor construction and ceiling construction enclosing public corridors shall be of noncombustible construction, or shall be constructed of wood joists or wood studs with metal lath and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, or perforated gypsum board and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, and shall provide fire-resistance of not less than one hour. Any openings shall be protected by doors having fire resistance of not less than a 1 3/4 inch solid flush panel door with a rebated frame of solid material 1 3/4 inch thick or metal frames of not less than number 16 gauge.

   (c)   Multiple dwellings, except buildings of Type I-A, I-B, or I-C construction, shall be divided into areas not exceeding 5,000 square feet by vertical separations providing fire-resistance of not less than two hours and extending from the basement floor to the underside of the roof sheating. All openings in such vertical separations shall be protected with Class C fire doors.

   (d)   In intermediate area facilities for the developmentally disabled – 15 or less, all corridors, kitchens, furnace and laundry room walls and ceilings shall have a fire-resistant rating of at least one hour; walls may terminate at the underside of the ceiling.

   (e)   Townhouses shall comply with the following requirements:

      (1)   each townhouse unit shall be separated by vertical demising walls of noncombustible construction with a fire resistance of not less than three hours;

      (2)   where two stairs are required at least one of the stairs must not be shared with any other unit;

      (3)   the vertical separation shall continue from the foundation to the ceiling-roof assembly or to the attic rafters; and

      (4)   where parking areas are provided on the ground floor and vertical separations cannot reach the foundation they shall be separated horizontally from the residential areas by a four-hour noncombustible floor- ceiling assembly.

(Prior code § 52-2; Amend Coun. J. 12-21-84, p. 12140; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-97, p. 54730)

13-64-022 Exterior wall standards.

   Any concrete masonry unit and mortar used in the construction of any part of an exterior wall of any residential unit, single-family dwelling, multiple dwelling or mixed occupancy building that includes a residential unit for which building plans have been submitted after the effective date of this ordinance shall comply with Section 13-120-150.

(Added Coun. J. 7-25-01, p. 64905, § 2)

13-64-030 Basement room areas – Outside air openings.

   Basements in single and two-family dwellings shall be provided with windows or other openable devices providing openings to the outside air of not less than two percent of the floor area.

(Prior code § 52-3)

13-64-040 Minimum ventilation.

   (a)   When a room is used for cooking, dining and living purposes, it shall have a floor area of not less than 180 square feet.

   (b)   At least one room in every family unit shall have a floor area of not less than 150 square feet.

   (c)   Kitchens or dining space shall have a floor area of not less than 60 square feet.

   (d)   All other habitable rooms shall have a floor area of not less than 70 square feet.

   (e)   [Reserved.]

   (f)   In intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled – 15 or less, living rooms, dining rooms and activity rooms (if any) shall have a combined floor area of not less than 30 square feet per resident. Bedrooms in such facilities shall comply with the area requirements for bedrooms in institutional units, as specified in Section 13-80-070 of this Code.

(Prior code § 52-4; Amend Coun. J. 12-21-84, p. 12140; Amend Coun. J. 4-29-98, p. 666679, § 2)

13-64-050 Ceiling heights.

   The minimum ceiling height in a habitable room shall be not less than seven feet six inches except as follows:

   (a)   Rooms under sloping roofs shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches for not less than 50 percent of the floor area having a ceiling height of five feet or more. No portion of the floor area having a ceiling height of less than five feet shall be considered as a part of the required floor area.

   (b)   In any room, beams or furred spaces constituting not more than 20 percent of the ceiling area may have a height of not less than seven feet.

   (c)   In intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled – 15 or less, toilet, storage and closet rooms shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet, six inches. All other rooms in such facilities shall have a minimum ceiling height of eight feet.

(Prior code § 52-5; Amend Coun. J. 12-21-84, p. 12140)

13-64-060 Room arrangement.

   (a)   Access to each dwelling unit shall be provided without passing through any part of any other dwelling unit.

   (b)   Access to any required exit of a dwelling unit from all habitable rooms shall be provided without passing through a bedroom, bathroom or toilet room.

(Prior code § 52-6)

13-64-070 Requirements for habitable basement rooms.

   A basement may be used for habitable rooms or a dwelling unit, regardless of the depth of the floor below grade, if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface water and are protected from dampness, and if the required minimum window area is located entirely above the finished elevation of the grade adjoining the basement wall in which the windows are located.

(Added Coun. J. 10-2-95, p. 8040)

13-64-080 Private garages.

   Private garages shall comply with the requirements of Section 13-96-250.

(Prior code § 52-8)