(A) General.
(1) Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum fire safety facilities and equipment to be provided. All structures shall be constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards, and in a manner conducive to fire safety. All fire safety facilities and equipment shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
(2) Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such fire safety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the Fire Prevention Code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy or use any premises which does not comply with the following requirements of this section.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-70)
(B) Means of egress.
(1) General. 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.
(2) Direct exit. Every dwelling unit shall have access directly to the outside or to an exit access corridor that leads directly to the outside.
(3) Locked doors. All doors located in the required means of egress shall be readily operable from the inner side without the use of keys. Exits from multiple-family dwelling units, hotel units, lodging houses and dormitory units shall not lead through other such units, or through toilet room or rooms. "Dead-bolt" locks are allowable provided the key is in place at all times and structure is occupied.
(4) Fire escapes. All required fire escapes shall be maintained in working condition and structurally sound.
(5) Dual egress. Every residential building exceeding one story in height above grade, not including basements, shall be provided with not less than two approved independent exits from each floor above the first floor, fully accessible to each occupant on the floor or provide safety ladders for each bedroom above the first floor.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-71)
(C) Accumulation and storage. Waste, refuse or other materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes or other means of egress.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-72)
(D) Fire doors. All required fire resistance rated doors or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including all hardware necessary for the proper operating thereof. The use of door stops, wedges and other unapproved hold-open devices is prohibited.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-73)
(E) Smoke detectors required. Smoke detectors shall be provided outside of each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels, a smoke detector need be installed only on the upper level, provided the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level, except that if there is a door between levels then a detector is required on each level. In multiple dwelling units a smoke detector shall be installed in all common hallways or rooms. All detectors shall be connected to a sounding device or other detectors to provide, when actuated, an alarm which will be audible in all sleeping areas. All detectors shall be approved and listed and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-74)