(A) In each building, all stairways and stairwells and exit corridors shall be of approved two-hour construction and shall be of the smoke-proof tower type. The Fire Chief or Fire Marshal shall approve the number and location of the stairwells.
(B) In buildings three stories or more in height, all stairways and stairwells shall be constructed of masonry.
(C) All exit stairwells shall be in compliance with signage requirements found in § 91.62
(D) Floor proximity exit signs shall be installed in the following use groups as outlined in Chapter 3 of the International Building Code, 2021 Edition: A-1, A-2, A-3, I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1 and R-2. The bottom of the signs shall be located no less than six inches or more than eight inches above the floor. For exit doors, the sign shall be placed on the wall no more than four inches from the door frame. These signs shall be in addition to all other required signage by any code or standard.
(E) In buildings and warehouses with high piled or rack storage, additional exit signs shall be required. Large hanging exit signs with photoluminescent or reflective lettering must be placed in the aisles to direct occupants towards nearest exit. The signs shall be located at the end of the rows, in the dock aisles, perpendicular to the exit doors. Approved sizes for hanging signs are 24” x 36” (up to 16 feet from floor) or 36” x 48” (for heights above 16 feet). They may be single sided for flat wall mounting applications or double sided for hanging applications. If a directional arrow is used it must be at the end of the word EXIT as not to reduce the size of the lettering. The sign shall be made of a rigid material as to not allow bowing or sagging when hung from above. Signs that are not illuminated (back lit) will require one of the two options:
(1) Reflective only signs require external illumination upon power outage by an emergency light or by a light powered by generator or PV system on both sides of the sign or on one side if wall mounted flat.
(2) Photoluminescent (glow in the dark) reflective signs do not require external illumination.
(F) Racking tunnels that are adjacent to egress routes that lead directly to exits shall also display an exit sign with a directional arrow pointed to the direction of the exit(s). Exit signs may be of illuminated type or photoluminescent type and shall be no smaller than eight inches by 12 inches.
(G) All exit access areas, exits and exit discharge areas shall be maintained and allow for unimpeded egress from the building or location. See § 91.48.
(H) Exit access travel distances shall be in accordance with Table 1017.2 of the 2021 International Fire Code. EXCEPTION: Group F-1 and S-1 exit access travel increase.
(I) The maximum exit access travel distance may be increased to 400 feet for buildings with a ceiling height of less than 24 feet, where the portion of the building classified as Group F-1 or S-1 is equipped with an Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) fire sprinkler system and Mechanical Smoke Exhaust as outlined and installed in accordance with Chapter 9 Section 910.4 of the 2015 International Fire Code, as modified by Appendix A of this chapter. For one story buildings ceiling height of 24 feet or greater height reference Chapter 10 Section 1017.2.2 of the 2021 International Fire Code.
(J) A smoke study commissioned and paid for by the building owner may be submitted for approval to allow a 400-foot travel distance for buildings less than 24 feet in height. The smoke study shall prove favorably that the smoke will not go below the six-foot interface level during the travel time established by the study. The study shall include six fire scenarios and include all documentations and calculations to substantiate the time and distance.
(Ord. 05-0251, passed 3-16-05; Am. Ord. 11-0923, passed 9-21- 11; Am. Ord. 11-0935, passed 11- 2-11; Am. Ord. 12-1016, passed 11-7-12; Am. Ord. 17-1347, passed 3-1-17; Am. Ord. 22-1811, passed 12-7-22)