(a) Inspection of Exits. Not more than ninety (90) minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of any non-continuous activity, event, performance, show, meeting, function, or other occasion for which people will gather in a place of assembly, the owner or his or her designee pursuant to written authority, instructions, or procedures shall inspect every required exit, way of approach to an exit, and way of departure from an exit. If the inspection reveals that any required means of egress is obstructed, inaccessible, locked, fastened, or otherwise unsuited for immediate use, the scheduled program shall not begin, nor shall admittance to the place of assembly be permitted, until necessary corrective action has been completed.
(b) Announcements. Immediately prior to the start of a program for which three hundred (300) or more people will gather in a place of assembly, the owner or his or her authorized agent shall orally notify all attendees concerning the location of the exits to be used in case of fire or other emergency.
(c) Records. An accurate record of all inspections, corrections, and notifications shall be kept and retained for at least two (2) years in the offices of the respective building owners. The records shall contain:
(1) A brief description of each activity, event, performance, etc., including its date, time, and location;
(2) The name and signature of the person who performed each requirement of this section; and
(3) The date and time when each requirement was performed.
(d) Alternatives. In case of practical difficulty or undue hardship or in which compliance would not significantly increase life safety, the Fire Chief, by and through persons working under his or her direction, may approve or accept alternative means of accomplishing the objectives of this section. (Ord. 215. Passed 10-19-10.)