CHAPTER 6
FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

SECTION PM-601.0 GENERAL

PM-601.1 Scope: The provisions of this Chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and standards for fire and life safety relating to structures and exterior premises, including facilities and equipment to be provided.

PM-601.2 Responsibility: 332 The owner of the premises shall provide and maintain fire and life safety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy any premises that do not comply with the requirements of this Chapter and the applicable provisions of the Fire Code.

 

Notes

332	Amended, Bill No. 030774 (approved December 31, 2003). See note 235 for effective date provisions.

SECTION PM-602.0 MEANS OF EGRESS

PM-602.1 General: A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to a public way.

PM-602.2 Arrangement: Exits from dwelling units, rooming units, guestrooms and dormitory units shall not lead through other such units, or through toilet rooms or bathrooms.

PM-602.3 Stairways, handrails and guards: Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than three risers shall have handrails, and every open portion of a stair, landing, balcony, deck, porch or other walking surface which is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards. Handrails shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) nor more than 42 inches (1067 mm) high, measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the finished floor of the landing or walking surfaces. Guards shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) high above the floor of the walking surface.

PM-602.4 Walking surfaces: Walking surfaces of aisles, passageways, corridors, stairways and other elements of means egress shall be maintained free of warping, loose or torn surfaces and any other condition which does not provide safe means of egress.

PM-602.5 Maintenance of exterior stairs and fire escapes: All exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept free of snow and ice. Exterior stairways and fire escapes constructed of materials requiring the application of weather protecting products, shall have these products applied in an approved manner and shall be applied as often as necessary to maintain the stairways and fire escapes in safe condition.

SECTION PM-603.0 ACCUMULATIONS AND STORAGE

PM-603.1 Accumulations: Rubbish, garbage or other materials shall not be stored or allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, aisles, doors, windows, fire escapes or other means of egress.

PM-603.2 Hazardous material: 333 Combustible, flammable, explosive or other hazardous materials, such as paints, volatile oils and cleaning fluids, or combustible rubbish, such as wastepaper, boxes and rags, shall not be accumulated or stored unless such storage complies with the applicable requirements of the building code and the Fire Code.

 

Notes

333	Amended, Bill No. 030774 (approved December 31, 2003). See note 235 for effective date provisions.

SECTION PM-604.0 FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS

PM-604.1 General: The fire resistance rating of floors, walls, ceilings, and other elements and components shall be maintained.

PM-604.2 Maintenance: All required fire doors and smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including all hardware necessary for the proper operation thereof. Fire doors shall not be held open by door stops, wedges or other unapproved hold-open devices.

SECTION PM-605.0 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

PM-605.1 General: All systems, devices and equipment to detect a fire, actuate an alarm, or suppress or control a fire or any combination thereof shall be properly maintained.

PM-605.2 Fire suppression system: Fire suppression systems shall be in proper operating condition at all times.

   PM-605.2.1 Valves: Control valves shall be in the fully open position.

   PM-605.2.2 Sprinklers: Sprinklers shall be clean and free of corrosion, paint and damage. Stock shall be at least 18 inches (457 mm) below sprinkler deflectors.

   PM-605.2.3 Piping: Piping shall be properly supported and shall not support any other loads.

PM-605.3 Standpipe systems: Standpipe systems shall be in proper operating conditions at all times.

   PM-605.3.1 Valves: Water supply control valves shall be in the fully open position.

   PM-605.3.2 Hose connections: Hose connections shall be identified and have ready access thereto.

   PM-605.3.3 Hose: Where provided, the hose shall be properly packed, dry and free from deterioration.

PM-605.4 Fire alarm systems: Fire alarm systems shall be in proper operating condition at all times.

   PM-605.4.1 Control panel: The "power on" indicator shall be lit. Alarm or trouble indicators shall not be illuminated.

   PM-605.4.2 Manual fire alarm boxes: All manual fire alarm boxes shall be operational and unobstructed.

   PM-605.4.3 Automatic fire detectors: All automatic fire detectors shall be operational and free from any obstructions that prevent proper operation, including smoke entry.