13-200-320 Assembly occupancy alterations.

   Any stage or projection block hereafter altered or remodeled shall comply in its entirety with the provisions of this Code for new construction:

   (a)   In assembly units having fixed seating, any alteration of the seating arrangement or of any means of exit shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 13-84, and any such alterations of seating shall comply with all the means of egress requirements of this Code.

   (b)   No alteration or extension of any existing system of heating or refrigeration or any system of piping or machinery in which hazardous gases or liquids are contained, or which are prohibited in an assembly unit under this Code, shall be made, unless all parts of such system and the rooms or spaces containing them shall be made to comply with the provisions of this Code.

   (c)   Any room in an assembly unit hereafter converted for any use requiring special protecting under this Code shall be made to comply with the provisions of this Code for such special protection.

   (d)   Areas used for storage of combustible containers in new and existing buildings with exhibition areas shall be enclosed with two-hour fire-resistive construction and shall be equipped with a standard sprinkler system, as defined in Chapter 15-16 of this Code.

   (e)   Fire alarm systems and other fire protection systems shall be provided, in accordance with requirements of Chapter 15-16.

   (f)   Exit lights shall be provided, in accordance with requirements of Section 13-160-700.

   (g)   Means of egress lighting shall be provided, in accordance with the requirements of Section 13-160-660.

   (h)   Emergency electrical systems and lighting shall be provided, in accordance with the requirements of Section 14E-7-700.

(Prior code § 78.1-31; Amend Coun. J. 6-14-95, p. 2841; Amend Coun. J. 11-9-16, p. 36266, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 47)

13-200-330 Exit requirements.

   Every building shall have not less than the minimum number of exits prescribed in Section 13-160-050, with the following exceptions:

   (a)   In existing buildings where exits do not comply with the requirements of Chapter 13-160 and in which hazardous conditions exist because of the number or location of exits, the building commissioner may order additional exits to insure adequate life safety of the occupants.

   (b)   Fire escapes may be permitted where such exits now serve existing buildings and may be added to existing buildings when additional exits are necessary, if conditions do not permit the use of more adequate exit facilities.

   (c)   Other means of fire escape, such as ladders or other devices, may be permitted in unusual circumstances and shall comply with such requirements as the building commissioner shall prescribe.

   (d)   In existing multiple dwellings, one exit shall be permitted from the basement, first or second story, provided that:

      (1)   The enclosed area of such floor or basement space is separated from all other areas by partitions of one hour rating;

      (2)   The enclosed area does not exceed 800 feet;

      (3)   The exit serves only one family on each story or basement, except that an exit from the basement or first story to grade may be shared by more than one unit.

((Prior code § 78.1-32; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 40; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-200-340 Fire escapes – Repairs.

   Existing fire escapes may be repaired, altered or extended to serve floors not presently served if done in conformance with the requirements of Section 13-160-630, regardless of their proximity to interior lot lines or other buildings on the same lot, provided that zoning requirements are met.

(Prior code § 78.1-33)

13-200-350 Fire escapes – Removal.

   Existing fire escapes may be removed if the remaining required exits conform to all new construction requirements of Chapter 13-160 regarding number, width, location, access to, and enclosure.

(Prior code § 78.1-34)

13-200-360 Existing interior exit stairways.

   When a building, floor, space, or area is remodeled, the cost of which exceeds 50 percent of the cost of reproduction of that building, floor, space, or area, the exit stairs serving that building, floor, space, or area shall be upgraded by one of the following alternative methods:

   (a)   The stairway shall be enclosed to comply with requirements of Section 15-8-140.

   (b)   Noncombustible doors and assemblies shall be installed in the corridors between exit stairs. Such assemblies need not be rated but shall be constructed, as provided by Section 15-8-140(a).

   (c)   The entire remodeled building, floor, space, or area served by the exit stairs shall be provided with a standard sprinkler system, complying with the requirements of Chapter 15-16.

(Prior code § 78.1-35)