The following language shall be inserted as a new Section 307:
"307. FIRE ESCAPES
307.1 Where allowed.
Fire escapes shall be allowed only as provided for in Sections 307.1.1 through 307.1.4.
307.1.1 New buildings.
Fire escapes shall not constitute any part of the required means of egress in new buildings.
307.1.2 Existing fire escapes.
Existing fire escapes shall continue to be accepted as a component in the means of egress in existing buildings only.
307.1.3 New fire escapes.
New fire escapes for existing buildings may be approved by the building official only where interior or exterior stairways cannot be utilized because of property lines limiting stairway size or because of sidewalks, alleys or roads at grade level. New fire escapes shall not incorporate ladders or access by windows.
307.1.4 Limitations.
Fire escapes shall comply with this section and shall not constitute more than 50 percent of the required number of exits nor more than 50 percent of the required exit capacity.
307.2 Location.
Where located on the front of the building and where projecting beyond the property line, the lowest landing shall be not less than 12 feet (3658 mm) or more than 14 feet (4267 mm) above grade, and shall be equipped with a counterbalanced stairway to the street. In alleyways and thoroughfares less than 30 feet (9144 mm) wide, the clearance under the lowest landing shall be not less than 14 feet (4267 mm).
307.3 Construction.
The fire escape shall be designed to support a live load of 100 pounds per square foot (4788 Pa) and shall be constructed of steel or other noncombustible materials. Walkways and railings located over or supported by combustible roofs in buildings of Type III and IV construction are allowed to be of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51 mm) thick. 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 1 1/4 inches (32 mm).
307.4 Dimensions.
Stairways shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide with risers not more than, and treads not less than, 8 inches (203 mm) and landings at the foot of stairways not less than 40 inches (1016 mm) wide by 36 inches (914 mm) long, located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) below the door. Guards not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height shall be provided at the open sides of fire escape stairways and landings.
307.5 Opening protectives.
Doors and windows within 10 feet (3048 mm) of fire escape stairways shall be protected with 3/4-hour opening protectives.
Exception: Opening protection shall not be required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
307.6 Removal of existing fire escapes.
Existing fire escapes shall not be removed unless approved by the building official and fire code official based on a showing that the means of egress remaining after removal of the fire escape will substantially comply with the requirements for number, width, location, access to and enclosure of means of egress in new buildings provided in Chapter 10 of the Chicago Building Code."