13-160-610 Exterior stairs – Permanent.

   Exterior stairs shall be built permanently to the ground without counter-balanced or movable sections.

(Prior code § 67-15.3)

13-160-620 Exterior stairs – Construction.

   Exterior stairs shall be constructed entirely of non-combustible materials in the following buildings:

   (a)   Buildings of Types I-A, I-B, I-C and II construction;

   (b)   Institutional units.

(Prior code § 67-15.4)

13-160-630 Fire escapes.

   Fire escapes, when permitted, shall comply with the provisions of Sections 13-160-640 and 13-160-650.

   Fire escapes shall not be permitted except where such exits now serve existing buildings and except as approved by the building commissioner for existing buildings where additional exits are necessary and conditions do not permit the use of more adequate exit facilities.

(Prior code § 67-16; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 34; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-160-640 Fire escapes – Stairways.

   Fire escape stairways shall conform, insofar as possible, with the requirements for interior stairways in Section 13-160-290, except as otherwise required in this section.

   (a)   The width of a fire escape stairway shall be not less than 24 inches. The maximum riser shall be eight inches, and the minimum width of tread, exclusive of nosing, shall be nine inches.

   (b)   Location.

      (1)   Every fire escape stairway shall be located outside the building on a wall facing a public way or an open space having an unobstructed exit to a public way at grade.

   (c)   Counterbalanced sections. A counterbalanced section may be used for the bottom flight of any fire escape stairway and shall be used when such fire escape stairway projects over a public way. The vertical height of a counterbalanced section shall not exceed 14 feet and have a minimum of 12 feet except when a counterbalanced section is used over any public way where the loading, unloading or passage of trucks or large semitrailers is necessary, the minimum height shall be not less than 14 feet.

   (d)   Access to a fire escape stairway from the interior of a building shall be through a doorway flush with the floor and not less than 30 inches wide, except that access to a fire escape stairway serving not more than 20 persons may be through a window having an openable area not less than 30 inches wide by 36 inches high, located not more than 24 inches above the floor.

   (e)   Construction.

      (1)   Fire escape stairways shall be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials.

      (2)   Fire escape stairways shall be designed to support a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot.

      (3)   Stair treads and landings shall be so constructed as to prevent accumulation of snow or ice, but the maximum dimension of any opening, through such treads, landings or floors shall not exceed one and one-fourth inches.

      (4)   Metal mesh or guard rails not less than 42 inches high shall be provided on all unenclosed sides of fire escape stairways.

      (5)   All metal structural members shall be adequately protected against corrosion and shall be scraped and painted at least once every three years.

   (f)   Protection. All exterior wall openings within ten feet of a fire escape stairway shall be protected as provided in Section 15-8-070.

(Prior code § 67-16.1)

13-160-650 Fire escapes – Other exits.

   Other means of fire escape exit, including ladders or other devices, shall comply with such requirements as the building commissioner shall prescribe. All metal structural members shall be adequately protected against corrosion and shall be scraped and painted at least once every three years.

(Prior code § 67-16.2; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 34; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)