(A) Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum fire safety facilities and equipment required. All rental buildings 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.
(B) Responsibility. The owner of all rental buildings shall provide and maintain such fire facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the Fire Prevention Code. A person shall not let to another for occupancy or use any premises which do not comply with following requirements of this section.
(C) Means of egress.
(1) General. A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a rental building to the exterior of a street, a yard, court, or passageway leading to a public open area at grade.
(2) Direct exits. Every rental unit shall have access directly to the outside or to a common corridor, and every sleeping room shall have an approved direct means of egress to the outside.
(3) Locked doors. All doors in the required means of egress shall be readily openable from the inner side. Exits from rental units shall not lead through other such units, or through toilet rooms or bathrooms.
(4) Exit signs. All exit signs shall be illuminated and visible.
(D) Accumulations and storage.
(1) Accumulations. Waste, refuse or other materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes, or other means of egress.
(2) Flammable matter. Highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils, and cleaning fluids, or combustible refuse, such as waste paper, boxes and rags shall not be accumulated or stored on residential premises except in reasonable quantities consistent with normal usage.
(3) Residential unit. A rental unit shall not be located within a structure containing an establishment handling, dispensing, or storing flammable liquids with a flash point of 110° F. or lower,
(E) Fire resistance ratings.
(1) General. Except for legal, non-conforming uses, the required fire-resistant rating of fire resistant rated walls, ceilings, floors, fire stops, shaft enclosures, and partitions shall be maintained.
(2) Doors. All fire and smoke-stop doors shall be maintained in operable condition and shall not be blocked or obstructed.
(F) Fire protection systems.
(1) General. All fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times and in accordance with Indiana Fire Code.
(2) Fire alarms. Fire alarms and detecting systems shall be maintained and be suitable for their respective purposes.
(3) Sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads of fire suppression systems, if required, shall be clean, free of corrosion and paint, and not bent or damaged.
(4) Standpipe systems. Hose stations shall be identified and accessible. The hose shall be in proper position, ready for operation, dry, and free of deterioration.
(5) Smoke detectors required. The owner of each rental building shall supply all required operational smoke detectors in all rental buildings and rental units. The tenant shall ensure that each smoke detector in the rental unit remains functional and not disabled. If the smoke detector is battery operated, the tenant shall replace batteries in the smoke detectors as necessary. If smoke detectors are hard-wired and/or not operational, the tenant shall immediately notify the owner of the rental building.
(6) Type and placement of smoke detectors. The type, placement and maintenance of smoke detectors shall conform to the requirements of I.C. 22-11-18-1 et seq., and as that statute may, from time to time, be amended.
(Ord. 14-2011, passed 4-11-11)