13-76-030 Fire command panel.

   A fire command panel shall be provided in a location approved by the Fire Department. It shall contain the following listed facilities:

   (a)   Fire detection system panel annunciated visually and audibly for each individual floor;

   (b)   Status indicators for air handling systems;

   (c)   Status indicator and controls for elevators, or where elevator control panel is provided containing required indicators and controls, that panel must be in close proximity to the fire command panel as approved by the fire commissioner;

   (d)   Sprinkler valves and sprinkler water flow detector indicators, annunciated for each individual zone;

   (e)   Emergency power status indicator;

   (f)   Exit stairwell door unlocking system;

   (g)   Voice communication system panels and equipment.

(Prior code § 62.1-3; Amend Coun. J. 11-9-16, p. 36266, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 4)

13-76-040 Smoke detection.

   (a)   Area smoke detection. Area smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with this section. Smoke detectors shall be connected to the fire detection system panel. In addition to smoke detectors required by other provisions of this Code, smoke detectors shall be located as follows:

      (1)   In each mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment or similar room that is not provided with sprinkler protection.

      (2)   In each elevator machine room, machinery space, control room, and control space, and in elevator lobbies.

(Prior code § 62.1-4; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 34; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 5)

13-76-050 Voice communication systems.

   There shall be two voice communication systems as follows:

   (a)   A two-way fire department communication system providing emergency two-way stations in each required stairwell and not less than every fifth floor and at the fire command panel;

   (b)   A selective one-way communication system between the fire command panel and the following areas:

      (1)   Elevators, elevator lobbies and in all required stairwells; one speaker each fifth floor in stairwells;

      (2)   Office areas exceeding 5,000 square feet;

      (3)   In corridors at intervals not to exceed 75 feet and at the exit stair doors.

   The two-way fire department communication system may be combined with the one-way system when approved by the fire commissioner.

(Prior code § 62.1-5; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 35)

13-76-060 Mechanical ventilation.

   (a)   The mechanical air handling equipment serving the fire zone shall be designed to provide maximum exhaust without recirculation and to be activated by the water flow device serving that fire zone. This requirement shall not apply to residential occupancies.

   (b)   Fire dampers shall not be required in mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings complying with this chapter.

(Prior code § 62.1-6; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 22; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 6)

13-76-070 Stairwell door locking devices.

   All stairwell doors which are to be locked from the stairwell side shall have electrically controlled locking devices which can be automatically unlocked upon a signal from the fire command panel. A stairwell door at the main exit level shall not be locked from the stairwell side. This section shall apply to all buildings 80 feet above grade whether built prior to or after the adoption of Chapter 13-76.

(Prior code § 62.1-7; Amend Coun. J. 11-5-03, p. 11465)

13-76-075 Stairwell identification.

   There shall be posted and maintained, within every interior stairwell enclosure at every floor, adjacent to the stairwell door, alphabetical or directional letter identification for the stairwell and the number of the floor to which the door opens. Lettering shall be permanent, a minimum of six inches in height and comply with A.D.A.A.G. (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines) 4.30.1 General, 4.30.4 Raised and Braille Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs, 4.30.5 Finish and Contrast, and 4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height.

   Adjacent to every stairwell door there shall be posted, on the occupancy side, information showing which floors have re-entry locations. Lettering shall be permanent and comply with A.D.A.A.G. 4.30.1 General, 4.30.4 Raised and Braille Characters and Pictorial Symbol Signs, 4.30.5 Finish and Contrast, and 4.30.6 Mounting Location and Height.

(Added Coun. J. 10-31-01, p. 71183, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 5-1-02, p. 84027, § 2)

13-76-076 Area of rescue assistance identification.

   Each area of rescue assistance shall be identified by a sign which states “Area Of Rescue Assistance” and displays the international symbol of accessibility. Lettering shall be permanent and comply with A.D.A.A.G. 4.30 (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines).

(Added Coun. J. 10-31-01, p. 71183, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 5-1-02, p. 84027, § 1)

13-76-080 Emergency electrical systems.

   Emergency electrical systems shall be provided in buildings as follows:

   (a)   All high rise buildings first permitted for construction after August 2, 1975, shall be supplied by a System II emergency system that shall supply the elevator required by Section 13-76-130, all emergency and exit lights, the communication systems required by Section 13-76-050, the fire command panel required by Section 13-76-030, and the fire alarm system required by Section 13-76-040. The System II emergency system shall conform with all applicable provisions of Title 14E.

   (b)   All buildings over 400 feet above grade shall have a diesel driven emergency generator to supply the fire pumps required by Sections 15-16-770 and 15-16-780 of this Code and the elevator required by Section 13-76-130 of this Code. The fire pump may be diesel engine operated.

   (c)   Emergency generators, fire pumps and their controls are to be in a separate two-hour-fire-rated pump room which also may contain the domestic booster pumps. In addition, the electrical controls are to be encased in drip proof enclosures.

   (d)   All main electric service equipment shall be installed in vaults or approved outdoor locations. The main electric service vaults and main service switch rooms shall be enclosed with three-hour-fire-rated construction. Distribution switchboard rooms shall be enclosed with two-hour-fire-rated construction.

   (e)   All electric service vaults and main service switchboard rooms located on the lowest level shall be equipped with a sump pump connected to the emergency electrical supply.

   (f)   All electric risers and shafts serving elevators, emergency and exit lights, voice communication systems and smoke control fans are to be enclosed with two-hour construction and are to include continuous three-inch-high water stops on all sides. Mineral insulated cable having a two-hour fire resistive classification from a recognized third-party electrical testing laboratory shall be acceptable in retrofit work, provided that distribution panels and control panels are enclosed with construction providing two-hour protection.

   (g)   All existing and newly constructed buildings used in whole or in part for residential occupancy which are more than 80 feet above grade, shall provide an auxiliary source of current supply from either an approved, on-site generator in accordance with Title 14E, an approved central battery system, or approved unit battery fixtures in accordance with Title 14E to supply all required emergency lights throughout the building. The fuel source for on-site generators installed in buildings over 80 feet in height and under 400 feet in height may be natural gas or diesel fuel. The fuel for on- site generators installed in buildings over 400 feet in height shall be diesel, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13-76-080(b). Complete plans shall be submitted to the department of buildings for review and approval before any work is started on the installation of such systems. All buildings which conform to the requirements of this subsection at the time this subsection is enacted shall not be required to provide plans as required herein. All buildings required by this section to provide an auxiliary source of current supply for required emergency lighting shall comply no later than July 1, 1999.

(Prior code § 62.1-8; Amend Coun. J. 10-2-95, p. 8026; Amend Coun. J. 2-5-98, p. 61780, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-9-16, p. 36266, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 23)

13-76-090 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 7, repealed § 13-76-090, which pertained to roof access.

13-76-100 Construction.

   (a)   Buildings complying with this chapter may deviate from otherwise applicable provisions of this Code as follows:

      (1)   The floor construction fire rating may be reduced for Types I-A and I-B construction from the present requirement of Table 13-60-100 as follows:

         (A)   For buildings not greater than 420 feet, to one hour.

         (B)   For buildings greater than 420 feet, to two hours

      (2)   The public corridor partition fire rating may be reduced to noncombustible from the present requirements of Section 15-8-240(a)(1);

      (3)   The area separations may be eliminated from the present requirements of Section 15-8-240(a)(2);

      (4)   The elevator shaft enclosure may be eliminated when the elevators are incorporated in atriums;

      (5)   The fire rating of exterior nonbearing walls of buildings of Types I-A, I-B and I-C may be reduced to noncombustible from the present requirements of Table 13-60-100; and

      (6)   Smokeproof towers as presently required in Section 13-160-360 may be eliminated.

(Prior code § 62.1-10; Amend Coun. J. 4-25-84, p. 6189; Amend Coun. J. 1-18-89, p. 23794; Amend Coun. J. 6-14-95, p. 2841; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 36; Amend Coun. J. 11-9-16, p. 36266, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VII, § 8)