Delete Section 1104.16 and replace as follows:
Delete Section 1104.16.5.1 and replace as follows:
F-1104.16.5.1 Examination and certification. Fire escape stairways and balconies shall be examined for structural adequacy and safety and certified in accordance with Section 1104.16.5 and Sections F-1104.16.5.1.1 through F-1104.16.5.1.10.
FIRE ESCAPE. A system of metal landings, balconies, stairs or ladders attached to a building that are not classified as an exterior stairway and are intended or designed to aid in egress from a building in an emergency.
FIRE ESCAPE BALCONY. A balcony that projects from the building face and is intended for use in conjunction with a fire escape, an exit stair or an area of refuge.
FIRE ESCAPE INSPECTION BUSINESS. A business entity that uses a Professional to perform inspections of fire escapes and fire escape balconies.
PROFESSIONAL. A professional engineer, licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and experienced in the practice of structural engineering.
SAFE. A condition of a fire escape or a fire escape balcony that is neither an Unsafe condition nor Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program.
SAFE WITH A REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. A condition of a fire escape or a fire escape balcony that is not determined to be Unsafe, at the time of inspection, but that requires maintenance or repair within a time period designated by a Professional in order to prevent further deterioration into an unsafe condition.
UNSAFE. A condition of any part of a fire escape or fire escape balcony that is dangerous to persons or property and requires prompt remedial action.
F-1104.16.5.1.2 Inspection required. The owner of a building with a fire escape or fire escape balcony shall be responsible for retaining a Professional to conduct periodic inspections of the fire escape or fire escape balcony for structural adequacy and safety and to file a report on such inspection as required by this Section.
F-1104.16.5.1.3 Initial inspection. The initial inspection required by this Section shall be conducted, and the required report shall be filed, on or before July 1, 2017. If the construction of the fire escape or fire escape balcony was completed after July 1, 2007, the first inspection shall be conducted within ten years after construction of the fire escape was completed.
F-1104.16.5.1.4 Extensions. Where fire escapes and fire escape balconies have undergone a restoration within one year prior to July 1, 2017, the owner may apply to the fire code official for an extension of the required initial inspection. With the application for extension, the owner shall submit such other information determined by the fire code official to be necessary to evaluate the extension request. The fire code official shall grant an extension if he or she determines that the restoration obviates the need for the initial inspection until a date established by the fire code official.
1. Before conducting an inspection, the Professional shall review previous reports, inspections, and evidence of repairs made in the five (5) year period prior to the inspection, including confirmation that all areas previously determined to require repair (as noted in any previous report) have been addressed.
2. The inspection shall be conducted by or under the supervision of the Professional.
3. The Professional shall employ the appropriate Professional standard of care in order to detect structural defects, rust, corrosion or any other condition affecting the structural integrity of the fire escape and fire escape balconies. If a distressed condition is identified, the Professional shall order any other inspections or tests that may be required to determine the significance and cause of the distress as well as measures appropriate to remediate the distress.
4. During the course of the inspection, photographs shall be taken or sketches made of the fire escape and fire escape balconies, including documentation of the location of all conditions that are Unsafe or Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program.
5. To be considered Safe or Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program, the fire escape and fire escape balconies shall be capable of meeting or exceeding the load requirements of Section 1104.16.5. This load requirement can be met by either an engineering analysis by the Professional or by conducting a load test. Any load test shall be witnessed by the Professional and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 17 of the Philadelphia Building Code.
6. Upon discovery of any Unsafe condition, the Professional shall immediately notify the owner of the building by electronic mail or fax and shall within twelve (12) hours of such discovery, notify the fire code official, in writing, and in an electronic format determined by the fire code official.
7. Once the Professional has determined that the condition is safe, the Professional shall post, upon the fire escape, a tag or placard (made of weather-resistant reflective material) that clearly and legibly states the date of the inspection and the date by which a new inspection is required (5 years after the date of inspection), and the name, address and telephone number of the Professional or fire escape inspection business on the tag or placard.
1. The Professional who performs the inspection shall submit a written report to the owner of the building. The Professional shall also submit a summary of the written report to the fire code official in a form determined by the fire code official. The fire code official may by regulation impose a fee to cover the reasonable costs of processing that must be paid upon the submission of the summary of the written report. If the report identifies an unsafe condition, then within twenty-four (24) hours of the completion of the report, the Professional shall file the full report with the fire code official, in writing and in an electronic format to be determined by the fire code official. The owner or owner's agent shall retain all written reports submitted pursuant to this Section and keep them readily available for inspection by the fire code official.
2. The report shall include, on the front page, the name and license number of the Professional and the date of the report, and shall include the following information:
2.1. The address of the building.
2.2. The name, mailing address and telephone number of the owner of the building, or where applicable, the owner's agent or person in charge, possession or control of the building.
2.3. A description of the building, including the number of stories and height.
2.4. The date of the start and completion of the inspection and a detailed description of the procedures used in making the inspection.
2.5. A report of all conditions, including, but not limited to, significant deterioration, and movement, and mechanical operations. The report shall classify each such condition as Safe, Unsafe, or Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program.
2.6. The probable causes of the reported conditions.
2.7. The status of ongoing maintenance efforts.
2.8. For any conditions listed in any previously filed report, whether such conditions have been repaired or maintained as recommended in that report.
2.9. Recommendations for repairs or maintenance, if appropriate, including the recommended time frame for the repairs or maintenance to be performed.
2.10. The classification of the fire escape and fire escape balconies overall according to the following scheme:
a. "Unsafe", if there is at least one unsafe condition.
b. "Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program", if there is a condition that is "Safe with Repair and Maintenance Program" and there are no Unsafe conditions.
c. "Safe", in all cases other than a or b.
2.11. Photographs or sketches documenting the locations of any conditions that are either Unsafe or Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program.
2.12. A statement by the Professional indicating which repairs or maintenance require work permits prior to their commencement.
2.13. A statement signed by the owner or agent of the building, acknowledging receipt of a copy of the report and acknowledging any required repairs or maintenance and the recommended time frame for performing such repairs or maintenance.
2.14. The Professional's certification that, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, the physical inspection was performed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, including the provisions of this Section, and within the appropriate professional standard of care.
2.15. The Professional's seal and signature in accordance with the professional registration laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2.16. Such other matters as the code official may require by regulation.
3. The Professional may submit an amended report. The amended report shall clearly identify any change from the initial report and all reasons for such changes.
1. Within twenty-four (24) hours of being notified of an Unsafe condition by a Professional, the owner of the building shall take any and all actions necessary to protect public safety including, but not limited to, posting notice of the unsafe condition in a prominent location inside the building near every exit to an exterior fire escape. If the fire escape or fire escape balcony encroaches upon a public right-of-way, such notice shall be posted in a prominent location visible from the right-of-way and the right-of-way shall be protected by installation of a sidewalk shed or other approved means. Such actions shall be considered part of an effort to remedy an emergency situation, and applications for any required permit shall be filed with the Department of Licenses and Inspections within three (3) days of notification.
2. Within ten (10) days of the receipt of a report identifying an unsafe condition, the owner of a building shall commence work to correct the condition, and work shall continue without interruption until the unsafe condition has been corrected. Within two (2) weeks after the unsafe condition has been corrected, the Professional shall re-inspect the fire escape and fire escape balconies and file with the fire code official a detailed amended report concerning their condition.
3. When a fire escape or fire escape balcony is determined to be unsafe and such condition is considered imminently dangerous by the Professional, the Professional shall notify the fire code official immediately. Signage shall be posted by the owner at each entry point to the fire escape or fire escape balcony and at the lowest balcony. Where required, the building shall either be evacuated, or an approved fire watch shall be provided until the fire escape has been made safe and approved for use.
4. Upon completion of the work necessary to correct the Unsafe condition, the Professional shall submit an amended inspection report to the owner and the Department reflecting the completion of the repairs and the reclassification to Safe.
F-1104.16.5.1.10 Conditions that are safe with a repair and maintenance program. The owner of a building is responsible for ensuring that the conditions described in the report as Safe With a Repair and Maintenance Program are repaired and the actions identified by the Professional are completed within the time frame designated in the report, or by such time necessary to prevent a condition from becoming an unsafe condition, whichever is sooner.
Delete Section 1104.24 and replace as follows:
F-1104.24 Stairway identification signs. Existing stairways shall be marked in accordance with Section 1023.9 and Section F-1104.24.1.
F-1104.24.1 Stairway roof access. Where access to the roof from the exit stair enclosure is not direct, but is available through a room or corridor accessed from the exit stair enclosure, the stairway identification sign shall include the words "Indirect Roof Access". A properly oriented floor diagram shall be provided at the exit stair landing at the floor level that provides the indirect roof access. The floor diagram shall indicate the route to the door, stair or ladder that leads to the roof and be located at approximately eye level near the stairway identification sign.
Delete Section 1104.25 and replace as follows:
Exceptions:
1. Buildings existing, or where plans for the construction of the building were approved, prior to February 17, 2010, are exempt provided the building has a sprinkler system installed throughout and the exit signs and egress lighting are connected to a primary power supply and an emergency generator or other secondary power supply.
2. Open, unenclosed stairwells in historic buildings designated as historical under a state or local historic preservation program.
Add Section F-1104.26 as follows:
Exception: Locking devices permitted by the current or past edition of the Philadelphia Building Code.
Add Section F-1104.27 as follows:
Add Section F-1104.28 as follows:
F-1104.28 Exit Doors. Exit doors in existing buildings shall be self-closing and latching and in accordance with Sections F-1104.28.1 and F-1104.28.2
F-1104.28.1 Exit door rating. Exit doors shall maintain the fire resistance rating required by the building code in effect at the time of construction, but at a minimum shall have a fire resistance rating of one hour. Where a door is replaced in an existing exit enclosure, the replacement door shall be a labeled fire door with a fire resistance rating of at least one hour. Existing door frames shall be maintained in good repair with no gaps between the door and the door frame exceeding 1/2 inches (16 mm).
Exceptions:
1. Where an existing exit enclosure is required to have a fire-resistance rating of up to one hour, existing self-closing and latching doors shall be accepted provided they are solid core wood with a minimum thickness of 1-3/4 inches (44 mm).
2. Where an existing exit enclosure is required to have a one-hour fire-resistance rating, existing self-closing and latching panel doors (not hollow core) shall be accepted provided the panels on one side are filled with a non-combustible material (example: mineral wool) and the entire surface of the door on that side is covered with a sheathing to provide a minimum door thickness of 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) measured at the stiles.
Exceptions:
1. Stairway discharge doors shall be openable from the egress side and shall only be locked from the opposite side.
2. Exit doors arranged in accordance with the current or a past edition of the Philadelphia Building Code.
3. In stairways serving not more than 4 stories doors are permitted to be locked on the side opposite egress (stairway side).
4. In stairways serving more than 4 stories the doors are permitted to be locked from the stairway side provided they unlock, but not un-latch, upon the loss of power to the door locks and are in accordance with 4.1 or 4.2:
4.1. Unlock upon the activation of the building fire alarm system.
4.2. Unlocked remotely from a constantly attended location, and telephones or a two-way communication system connected to the constantly attended location are installed in the stairway at not less than every fifth floor.
Add Section F-1104.29 as follows:
1. A nonresidential building not exceeding 6 stories above grade.
2. A residential building, other than Group R-3, not exceeding 3 stories above grade.
3. A Group R-3 building of any height.
4. A building equipped with a fire suppression system and fire alarm system throughout the building with smoke detectors in all corridors, lobbies and other common areas.
5. A building equipped with an automatic fire alarm system with smoke detectors installed throughout the building (smoke alarms in dwelling units) and the single exit is a smokeproof enclosure (access to the stairway via a vestibule or open exterior balcony) or a pressurized stairway.
6. Compliance with the current Philadelphia Building Code.
Add Section F-1104.30 as follows:
F-1104.30 Occupant Load Sign. Every room or space that is an assembly occupancy (50 or more) shall have the occupant load of the room or space, as determined by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, posted on a sign in a conspicuous place, near the main exit or exit access doorway from the room or space.
Exception: The nave or worship area of a place of worship area with fixed seating in existence prior to 2010.
Add Section F-1104.31 as follows:
Exception: Where permitted by the current or past edition of the Philadelphia Building Code.
Add Section F-1104.32 as follows:
F-1104.32 Security grilles. The security grilles in buildings shall be secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. When a building is occupied, but not by the general public, security grilles are permitted to be in the closed position provided they are openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.