(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, shaft ways for escalators shall be enclosed as required in this Building and Housing Code for required stairs.
(b) In buildings of Type 1 (fireproof) or Type 2 (noncombustible) construction, which are equipped with approved automatic sprinkler systems and in which escalators do not comprise a required means of egress, shaft ways for escalators need not be enclosed, but the shaft ways shall be provided with protective devices which shall be not less effective against the spread of fire and smoke, because of the shaft ways, than those specified in this subsection.
A smoke baffle, constructed of metal channels, metal lath and cement plaster, or of other approved noncombustible material, and extending down not less than twenty-four inches below the ceiling, shall be constructed at the top of each flight of escalators around the entire ceiling opening for the escalator. Approved automatic sprinkler heads shall be located at the ceiling and eighteen inches out from the smoke baffle and be spaced not more than five feet on center around the baffle. Automatic sprinkler heads shall also be located in the soffits of the escalator runs and elsewhere as may be necessary to effectively extinguish a fire in the escalator shaft way. Sprinkler heads shall be supplied with an adequate water supply at all times. Only a minimum and the necessary amount of combustible material may be used in the construction of such escalators.
(Ord. 42-1981. Passed 2-23-81.)