(A) Scope of responsibility. The owner of a rental dwelling unit shall provide and the renter shall maintain fire safety facilities and equipment in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, other ordinances, and state law. No person shall rent to another for occupancy any premises which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(B) Egress. A safe, continuous, and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a street, or to a yard, court, or passageway leading to a public open area at grade. If there is only one means of egress from above the second story, then an alternate exit must be provided through the use of fire escape stairs or an approved fire ladder.
(C) Direct exit. Every dwelling unit or room shall have access directly to the outside or to a public corridor.
(D) Locked doors. All doors in the required means of egress shall be readily openable from the inside without the use of keys. Exits from dwelling units shall not lead through other such units or through toilet rooms or bathrooms.
(E) Fire escapes. All required fire escapes shall be provided and maintained in working condition and shall be structurally sound.
(F) Emergency escapes.
(1) Windows or doors. Every sleeping room shall have a safe means of emergency escape to the outside consisting of an emergency escape window or door.
(2) Maintenance. Emergency escape windows and doors shall be maintained operational and available to occupants of sleeping rooms in residential uses.
(3) Security. Bars, grilles, grates, or similar devices are permitted to be placed over a required emergency escape window provided that such devices must be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool, or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
(G) Accumulation and storage.
(1) Waste materials. Waste, refuse, or other materials shall not obstruct stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes, or other means of egress.
(2) Flammable and explosive matter. Highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils, and cleaning fluids, or combustible refuse, such as waste paper, boxes, and rags shall not be accumulated or stored on residential rental premises except in reasonable quantities consistent with normal usage.
(3) Flammable liquids. A rental dwelling unit shall not be located within a structure containing an establishment handling, dispensing, or storing flammable liquids with a flash point of 110°F (43.33°C) or lower.
(H) Fire protection systems.
(1) Generally. All fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
(2) Fire alarms. Fire alarms and detecting systems shall be maintained and shall be suitable for their respective purposes.
(3) Fire extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers shall be visible, accessible, and maintained in a safe operating condition with inspection tags attached. One will be required in the kitchen area and another in the heating system area.
(4) Smoke detectors required. At least one working smoke detector in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping room, and on each additional story including basements, but not crawl spaces or uninhabitable attics. All detectors shall be installed in an approved location. All detectors shall be in working order at the time of occupancy by a renter.
(5) Carbon monoxide detector required. If the unit contains a fuel-fired appliance and/or an attached garage, a carbon monoxide detector is required.
(Ord. passed 3-14-2019)