1966 TCR-101

ir
533
R E P O R T OF C O M M I T T E E ON S A F E T Y T O L I F E SL-1
Report of Committee on Safety to Life

E d w a r d G r e y Halatead, Chairman,
Jensen & Halstead, 600 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60605
R i c h a r d E. S t e v e n s , t Secretary,
National Fire Protection Assn., 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Masa. 02110
J. A r r n a n d B u r ~ u n , Rogers, Buffer & Carroll E. Shaw, Fire Marshals Assn. of
But-gun. North America.
N o r m a n E. Carlson, National Electrical J a m e s C. Spence, American Iron and Steel
Manufacturers Assn. Institute.
Kern E. C h u r c h , N. C. Insurance Depart- E d w a r d F. Tablsz, Underwriters' Labo-
ment. ratories of Canada.
LeSlie A. D u t t o n , Fire Marshals Assn. of W i l l i a m B. "Fabler, American Institute of
North America. Arehitecte.
g. Sterlin~ Ferguson, National Research J a m e s P. T h o m p s o n , American Institute
Council. of Timber Construction.
Howard G i l b e r t s e n , Portland Cement Assn. J o h n C. T h o r n t o n , St. Petersburg, Fla.
William N. L a w t o n , National Automatic T h e o d o r e A. V e n t r o n e , American Cy-
Sprinkler and Fire Control Assn. anamid Company.
C. S. Mullen, Jr., Fire Marshals Assn. of J. A. Wilson, Factory Mutual Engineering
North America. Division.
W. W. Pritsky, American Insurance Assn. G e o r g e II. W r i g h t , Underwriters' Labo-
Charles R u s t , American Insurance Assn. ratories, Inc.
flenJamln S a l t z m a n , Building Officials' Calvin It. Yulll, Southwest Research
Conference of America. Institute.
Alternates.
W. F. H u n t e r , American Insurance Assn. Elwood II. R u t h e r f o r d , (Alternate repre-
(Alternate to Charles Rust) sentative Fire Marshals Assn. of North
America)
G e r a l d M. W a t s o n , American Insurance Assn. (Alternate to W. W. Pritgky)
Corresponding Member.t
N o r m a n C. S t r o t h e r S m i t h , Fire Protection Assn., London E.C.4, England
tNon-votins.
Sectional Committee on Assembly and Educational Occupancies

Leslie A. D u t t o n , Chairman.
Los Angelea County Fire Department, Box 3009, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, Calif. 90054
(rep. Fire Marshals Aeen. of North America}
Harold C. Clot, Ciar & Spitzer, Inc. N o r m a n E. Kocher, Los Angeles City Board
of Education.
M o n t y Coulson, Rutgem State University. J o h n Morris, Univereity of Illinois.
D. J o h n Phillips, Metropolitan Motion
F r a n k W. C r i m p , Clinch, Crimp, Brown & Picture Theatres Assn., Inc.
Fisher. N o r m a n V. Steere, Unlvereity of Minnesota.
534
SL-2 SECTIONAL COMMITTEES
Sectional Committee on Exits and Exitways

C. S. M u l l e n , Jr., Chairman,
State Fire Marshal, Box 1157, Richmond, Va. (rep. Fire Marshals Assn. of North America)
R. B. B u c h a n , International Conference of B e n j a m i n S a l t z m a n , Building Officials
Building Officials. Conference of America.
R. Sterling Ferguson, National Research J a m e s P. T h o m p s o n , American Institute of
Council. Timber Construction.
E. L. K r a u s e , Veterans Administration. G e o r g e Van Leeuwen, Southern Building
W. W. Pritaky, American Insurance Assn. Code Congre~. "
Sectional Committee on
Industrial, Storage, and Miscellaneous Occupancies
T h e o d o r e A. V e n t r o n e , Chairman,
American Cyanamid Co., Bound Brook, N. J.
Leroy V. A b b o t t , J r . , Insurance Company Kern E. C h u r c h , N. C. Insurance Dept.
of North America. C h a r l e s linlder, Jr., E. I. du Pont de
N o r m a n E. Carlson, National Electrical Nemours& Co., Inc.
Manufacturers Assn. I M a r s h a l l E. Petersen, American Mutual
W. L. D. C h i s h o l m , Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. Insurance Alliance.
. t
Sectional Committee on Institutional Occupancies
J. A r m a n d B u r g u n , Chairman,
Rogers, Butler & Burgun, Architects, 219 E. 44th St., New York, N. Y. 10017
Alfred S. Ereolano, American Nursing Carroll E. Shaw, Fire Marehah3 Assn. of
Home Assn. North America.
J u l i a n E. S m a r l g a , U. S. Department of
Roy H u d e n b u r g , Kiff, Voss & Franklin. Health, Education and Welfare.
Roger C. M e l l e m , American Hospital Assn. P . V . Tilden° Washington, D. C.
Carl W. Walter, M.D., NFPA Committee
F r a n c i s J. P a l m e , Veterans Administration. on lInspitais.
Sectional Committee on
Interior Finish, Furnishing, and Decorations
W. W. Pritsky, Chairman,
American Insurance Assn., 85 John Street, New York, N. Y. 10038
R. W. Boltz, Acoustical Materials Assn. J . A . Wilson, Factory Mutual Engineering
Division.
R i c h a r d F. Catchpole, National Forsst George II. W r i g h t , Underwriters' Lnbo-
Products Assn. ratories, Inc.
E d w a r d F. Tablsz, Underwriters' Labo- Calvin tl. Yuill, Southwest Research Insti-
ratoriss of Canada. ruts.
Sectional Committee on Mercantile and Office Occupancies

Charles S. R u s t , Chairman,
Aetna Caaualty & Surety Co., Hartford, Conn. (rep.Americau hmurance Assn.)
J o h n Clougher1~y, Boston Fire Dept. J a m e s C. Spence, American Iron and Steel
S t e p h e n F. K i m b a l l , American Mutual Institute.
Insurance Alliance.
W. N. L a w t o n , National Automatic Sprin- Nelson T. Walker, Erie, Pa.
kler and Fire Control Assn.
R E P O R T O F C O M M I T T E E ON S A F E T Y T O L I F E
535
SL-3
Sectional Committee on Residential Occupancies

W i l l i a m B. T a b l e r , Chairman,
401-415 Seventh Ave., New York, N. Y. 10001 (rep. American Institute o[ Architects)
William S. Brown, t Federal Housing Ad- Milton W. S m i t h m a n , National Assn. of
ministration. Home Builders.
S a m u e l J. Pope, Dorehsster, Mass. J o h n C. T h o r n t o n , St. Petersburg, Fla.
Alternate.
W a r r e n Nellie, National Assn. of Home Builders. (Alternate to Milton W. Smithman.
tNon-vofing.
This report has been submitted to ballot of the Committee, which conszsts
of 22 voting members, oaf whom 17 have voted al~rmatively , Messrs. Spence,
Tabler, Thompson and Thornton have voted negatively and Mr. Carlson
has not voted.
The members o/ each Sectional Committee have also been balloted on the
portion of the text assigned to them.
The Safety to Life Committee presents for official adoption a

complete revision of the Building Exits Code, NFPA No. 101. The
Building Exits Code is published in the National Fire Codes,
Volume 4, 1965-66 and in separate pamphlet form.
Realizing that the Code is used primarily as a supplement to

building Codes, the Committee has arranged the text so that the
content is in the same general order as contents of model building
codes. Since the Code also deals with more than exits, the title
has been changed to Code for Life Safety from Fire in Buildings
and Structures, or briefly, Life Safety Code.
The text of the Code has largely been put in "code language"
and all explanatory notes have been placed in an appendix. This
should make the Code more suitable for adoption.
Most of the material in Chapter 5 has been rewritten to make it

more understandable and useful. Chapters 8 and 9 have been com-
pletely revised and Chapter 10 has several important revisions.
The work of preparing this proposed revised Code is largely to be
credited to the Sectional Committees which have had maqy meet-
ings and prepared many drafts of the material assigned to them.
536
SL-4 TABLE OF CONTENTS\
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
C h a p t e r I. Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10I-I
Section 1-1. Tide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-h
Section I-2. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-1
Section 1-3. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-1
Section I-4. Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-2
Section 1-5. Alterations and Conversions . . . . . . . . . 101-3
Section 1-6. Discretionary Powers of Authority . Having
Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-3
C h a p t e r 2. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-4
Section 2-1. F u n d a m e n t a l Requirements . . . . . . . . 101-4
Section 2-2. Construction and Repair Operations . . . . . 101-5
Section 2-3. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-6
C h a p t e r 3. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-7
C h a p t e r 4. Classification o f O c c u p a n c y and H a z a r d of C o n t e n t s 101-13

Section 4-1. Classification of Occupancy . . . . . . . . 101-13
Section 4-2. H a z a r d of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-16
C h a p t e r 5. Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-18

Section 5-1. General Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-18
Section 5-2. Exit Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-23
Section 5-3. Interior Stairs and Smokeproof Towers . . . . 101-28
Section 5-4. Outside Stairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-33
Section 5-5. Horizontal Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-35
Section 5-6. Exit R a m p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-38
Section 5-7. Exit Passageways . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-40
Section 5-8. Escalators and Moving Walks . . . . . . . . 101-41
Section 5-9. Fire Escape Stairs, Ladders, Slide E s c a p e s . . . 101-42
Section 5-10. Exit Illumination . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-49
Section 5-11. Exit Marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-53
C h a p t e r 6. Features of Fire P r o t e c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . 101-55

Section 6-1. Protection of Vertical O p e n i n g s - C o m b u s t i b l e
Concealed Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . 101-55
Section 6-2. Interior Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-61
Section 6-3. Alarm and Fire Detection Systems . . . . . . 101-63
Section 6--4. Automatic Sprinklers and O t h e r Extinguishing
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-66
Section 6-5. Segregation and Protection of Hazards . . . . 101-67
Section 6-6. Fire u o o r s and Smokestop Doors . . . . . . 101-68
C h a p t e r 7. B u i l d i n g Service E q u i p m e n t . . . . . . . . . . 101-69
C h a p t e r 8. Places of A s s e m b l y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-72
Section 8-1. General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 101-72
Section 8-2. O u t d o o r Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-81
Section 8-3. U n d e r g r o u n d Structures and Windowless Build-
ings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-81
Section 8-4. Special Provisions for Exhibition Halls . . . . 101-81
Section 8-5. Existing Places of Assembly . . . . . . . . . 101-81
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SAFETY TO L I F E
537
SL-5
Page
C h a p t e r 9. Educational Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-83

Section 9-2. Special Provisions for O p e n Plan Buildings . . 101-89
Section 9-3. Special Provisions for Kindergartens . . . . . 101-90
Section 9-4. U n d e r g r o u n d and Windowless Educational
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-90
Section 9-5. Special Provisions for C o m b i n e d Occupancies . 101-90
Section 9-6. Existing Educational Buildings . . . . . . . 101-91
C h a p t e r 10. I n s t i t u t i o n a l O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-93
Section 10-1. Hospital, Nursing H o m e and Residential-
Custodial Care Occupancies . . . . . . 101-94
Section 10-2. Existing Hospital, Nursing Home, and Resi-
dential-Custodial Care Occupancies . . . 101-102
Section 10-3. Penal Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-110
C h a p t e r 11. R e s i d e n t i a l O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-112
Section 11-2. Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-113
Section 11-3. A p a r t m e n t Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-119
Section i I-4. Dormitories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-122
Section 11-5. Lodging or Rooming Houses . . . . . . . . 101-124
Section 1 I-6. One- and T w o - F a m i l y Dwellings . . . . . . 101-125
C h a p t e r 12. M e r c a n t i l e O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-127
Section 12-2. Special Provisions for Self-Service Stores . . . 101-134
Section 12-3. O p e n Air Mercantile Operations . . . . . . 101-134
Section 12-4. Combined Mercantile and Residential Oc-
cupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-135
C h a p t e r 13. Office O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-136

Section 13-2. Combined Office and Mercantile Occupancies. I01-140
C h a p t e r 14. I n d u s t r i a l O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-141
Section 14-2. General Industrial Occupancy . . . . . . . 101-142
Section 14-3. Special Purpose I ndustrlal Occupancy . . . . 101-146
Section 14-4. High Hazard Industrial O c c u p a n c y . . . . . 101-147
Section 14-5. O p e n Industrial Structures . . . . . . . . . 101-148
C h a p t e r 15. S t o r a g e O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-149
Section 15-1. G e n e r a / S t o r a g e Occupancies . . . . . . . . 101-149
Section 15-2. Special Provisions for Garages . . . . . . . 101-149
Section 15-3. Special Provisions for Aircraft H a n g a r s . . . . 101-151
Section 15-4. Special Provisions for Grain Elevators . . . . 101-152
C h a p t e r 16. M i s c e l l a n e o u s S t r u c t u r e s . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-153
Section 16-1. Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-153
Section 16-2. Piers and W a t e r - S u r r o u n d e d Structures . . . . 101-154
Section 16-3. Vehicles and Vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-154
Section 16-4. U n d e r g r o u n d Structures and Windowless Build-
ings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-155
538
SL-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
C h a p t e r 17. O p e r a t i n g F e a t u r e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-157
Section 17-1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-157
Section 17-2. Places of Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-158
Section 17-3. Educational Occupancies . . . . . . . . . 101-160
Section 17-4. Institutional Occupancies . . . . . . . . . 101-162
Section 17-5. Resid ential O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . 101-165
Section 17-6. Mercantile Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . 101-166
Section 17-7. Office O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-166
Section 17-8. General I n d u s t r i a l O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . 101-167
Appendix A Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-168
Appendix B Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-197
NOTICE
An asterisk (*) following the n u m b e r or letter d e s i g n a t i n g a p a r a g r a p h
indicates e x p l a n a t o r y m a t e r i a l on t h a t p a r a g r a p h in A p p e n d i x A.
539 101-1
Code for Safety to Life from

Fire in Buildings andStructures
NFPA No. 101 ~ 1966
C H A P T E R 1. A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
S E C T I O N 1-1. T I T L E
1-1111. This Code shall be known as the Life Safety Code, may
be cited as such, and is referred io herein as "this Code" or "the
Code."
S E C T I O N 1-2. PURPOSE
/-2111. The purpose of this Code is to specify measures which
will provide that degree of public safety from fire which can be
reasonably required. The Code endeavors to avoid requirements
which might involve unreasonable hardships or unnecessary in-
convenience or interference with the normal use and occupancy
of a building, but insists upon compliance with a minimum stan-
dard for fire safety necessary in the public interest, even though a
financial hardship may be involved in some individual cases.
SECTION I-3. SCOPE

1-3111. This Code deals with life safety from fire and like emer-
gencies. It covers construction, protection, and occupancy fea-
tures to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes, or panic
before buildings are vacated. It specifies the number, size, and ar-
rangement of exit facilities sufficient to permit prompt escape of
occupants from buildings or structures in case of fire or other con-
dition dangerous to life.
The Code recognizes that life safety is more than a matter of
exits and accordingly deals with various matters besides exits
which are considered essential to life safety, and, in some cases,
specifies limits beyond which the hazard is so great that no prac-
tical amount of exits can give assurance of any reasonable safety.
540
101-2 L I F E S A F E T Y CODE
1-3112. Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prohibit a

better type of building construction, more exits, or otherwise safer
conditions than the minimum requirements specified in this Code.
1-3113. This Code does not attempt to cover general fire preven-
tion or building construction features such as are commonly dealt
with in fire prevention codes and building codes, nor to protect
the individual from the results of his own careless acts, such as
smoking in bed.
1-3114. Exits from vehicles, vessels, or other mobile structures are
not covered by this Code except that when in fixed locations and
occupied as buildings they are treated as buildings in regard to
exit requirements.
1-3115. Neither the prevention of accidental personal injuries dur-
ing the course of normal occupancy of buildings, nor the preserva-
tion of property from loss by fire has been considered as the basis for
any of the provisions of this Code, but many of the requirements
of the Code will contribute toward these objectives.
1-3116. The Life Safety Code recognizes that panic in a burning
building may be uncontrollable, but deals with the potential panic
hazard through measures designed to prevent the development of
panic. Experie.nce indicates that panic seldom develops, even in
the presence of potential danger, so long as occupants of buildings
are moving toward exits which they can see within a reasonable
distance with no obstructions or undue congestion in the path of
travel. However, any uncertainty as to the location or adequacy
of means of exit, the presence of smoke, or stoppage of exit travel,
such as may occur when one person stumbles and falls on stairs,
may be conducive to panic. Panic danger is greatest when there
are numbers of people in a confined area.
1-3117. Where separate provisions of this Code dealing with the
same features are applicable to any given situation, the less re-
strictive of differing requirements shall be the mininmnl for the
purpose of this Code except that when any requirements of Chapters
8 through 17 are more restrictive than corresponding requirements
in other Chapters, the more restrictive requirements of Chapter 8
through 17 shall be the minimum.
"SECTION 1-4. A P P L I C A T I O N
1-4111. This Code covers both new and existing construction. In
various sections of the Code there are specific provisions for exist-
ing structures differing from those for new construction.
ADMINISTRATION
541101--3
Where there are no specific provisions in this Code for existing

structures, the requirements for new construction shall apply.
1-4112. Existing buildings and structures shall not be occupied or
used in violation of the provisions of this Code applicable thereto.
1-4113. a. The authority having jurisdiction may.modify the gen-
eral rule of 1-4112, above, under two conditions:
(1.) If the occupancy of the building in question is the same as
it was prior to the adoption or amendment of these requirements.
(2.) Only those requirements whose application would be clearly
impractical in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction
shall be modified.
b. Any modification of ihe requirements for new buildings which,
in the absence of specific provisions, are applied to existing build-
ings, shall be allowed only to the extent that, in the opinion of the
authority having jurisdiction, reasonable life safety against the haz-
ards of fire, explosion, and panic is provided and maintained.
c. The specific requirements of this Code for existing buildings
may be modified by the authority having jurisdiction to allow
alternative arrangements that will secure as nearly equivalent
safety to life from fire as practical; but in no ease shall the modi-
fication be less restrictive or afford less safety to life than compliance
with the corresponding provisions contained in this Code for exist-
ing buildings.
S E C T I O N 1-5. A L T E R A T I O N S AND C O N V E R S I O N S
1-5111. No change or alteration shall be made to any building or
structure, whether new or existing, except in conformity with the
provisions of this Code, and no change of occupancy, whether
necessitating a physical alteration or not, shall be made in any
building or structure, unless such building or structure conforms
with the requirements of this Code applying to new buildings of
the proposed new use.
S E C T I O N 1-6. D I S C R E T I O N A R Y POWERS OF
A U T H O R I T Y HAVING J U R I S D I C T I O N
1-6111. The authority having jurisdiction shall determine the
adequacy of exits and other measures for life safety from fire in
accordance with the provisions of the Life Safety Code. In cases of
practical difficulty or unnecessary I~ardship, the authority having
jurisdiction may grant exceptions from this Code, but only when
it is clearly evident that reasonable safety is thereby secured.
542
101-4
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL
S E C T I O N 2-1. F U N D A M E N T A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S
2-1111. Every building or structure, new or old, designed for
human occupancy shall be provided with exits sufficient to per-
mit the prompt escape of occupants in case of fire or other emer-
gency. The design of exits and other safeguards shall be such that
reliance for safety to life in case of fire or other emergency will not
depend solely on any single safeguard; additional safeguards shall
be provided for life safety in case any single safeguard is ineffective
due to some human or mechanical failure.
2-1112. Every building or structure shall be so constructed, ar-
ranged, equipped, maintained and operated as to avoid undue
danger to the lives and safety of its occupants from fire, smoke,
fumes, or resulting panic during the period of time reasonably
necessary for escape from the building or structure in case of fire
or other emergency.
2-1113. Every building or structure shall be provided with exits
of kinds, numbers,, location and capacity appropriate to the in-
dividual building or structure, with due regard to the character
of the occupancy, the number of persons exposed, the fire protec-
tion available, and the height and type of construction of the build-
ing or structure, to afford all occupants convenient facilities for
escape.
2-1114. In every building or structure exits shall be so arranged
and maintained as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all
parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied.
No lock or fastening to prevent free escape from the inside of any
building shall be installed except in mental, penal, or corrective
institutions where supervisory personnel is continually on duty and
effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire
or other emergency.
2-1115. Every exit shall be clearly visible or the route to reach it
shall be conspicuously indicated in such a manner that every oc-
cupant of every building or structure who is physically and men-
tally capable will readily know the direction of escape from any
point, and each path of escape, in its entirety, shall be so arranged
or marked that the way to a place of safety outside is unmistakable.
Any doorway or passageway ndt constituting an exit or way to reach
an exit, but of such a character as to be subject to being mistaken
for an exit, shall be so arranged or marked as to minimize its possible
FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
543 101-5
confusion with an e x i t a n d the resultant danger of persons en-

deavoring to escape from fire finding themselves trapped in a dead-
end space, such as a cellar or storeroom, from which there is no
other way out.
2-1116. In every building or structure equipped for artificial il-
lumination, adequate and reliable illumination shall be provided
for all exit facilities.
2-1117. In every building or structure of such size, arrangement, or
occupancy that a fire may not itself provide adequate warning to
occupants, fire alarm facilities shall be provided where necessary
to warn occupants of tile existence of fire so that they may escape,
or to facilitate the orderly conduct of fire exit drills.
2-1118. Every building or structure, section, or area thereof of
such size, occupancy, and arrangement that the reasonable safety
of numbers of occupants may be endangered by the blocking of
any single means of egress due to fire or smoke, shall have at least
two means of egress remote from each other, so arranged as to
minimize any possibility that both may be blocked by any one fire
or other emergency conditions.
2-1119. Every vertical way of exit and other vertical opening be-
tween floors of a building shall be suitably enclosed or protected as
necessary to afford reasonable safety to occupants while using
exits and to prevent spread of fire, smoke, or fumes through vertical
openings from floor to floor before occupants have entered exits.
2-1120.* Compliance with this Code shall not be construed as
eliminating or reducing the necessity for other provisions for safety
of persons using a structure under normal occupancy conditions,
nor shall any provision of the Code be construed as requiring or
permitting any condition that may be hazardous under normal oc-
cupancy conditions.
S E C T I O N 2-2. C O N S T R U C T I O N AND
REPAIR OPERATIONS
2-211. N e w Construction
2-2111. No building or structure under construction shall be oc-
cupied in whole or in part until all exit facilities required for the
part occupied are completed and approved for use.
2-2112. Adequate escape facilities shall be maintained at all times
in buildings under construction for the use of construction work-
ers. Escape facilities shall consist of doors, walkways, stairs, ramps,
544
101-6 LIFE SAFETY CODE
fire escapes, or ladders, arranged in accordance with the general

principles of the Code insofar as they can reasonably be applied
to buildings under construction.
2-212. Repairs or Alterations

2-2121.* No existing building shall be occupied during/repairs or
alterations unless all existing exits and any existing fire protection
are continuously maintained, or in lieu thereof other measures are
taken which provide equivalent safety.
2-2122. No flammable or explosive substances or equipment for
repairs or alterations shall be introduced in a building of normally
low or ordinary hazard classification while the building is oc-
cupied, unless the condition of use and safeguards provided are
such as not to create any additional danger or handicap to egress
beyond the normally permissible conditions in the building.
S E C T I O N 2-3. M A I N T E N A N C E
2-3111. Every required exit, way of approach thereto, and way of
travel from the exit into the street or open space, shall be continu-
ously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full
instant use in the case of fire or ~ther emergency.
2-3112.* Every required automatic sprinkler system, fire detection
and alarm system, exit lighting, fire door, and other item of equip-
ment required by this Code shall be continuously in proper oper-
ating condition.
2 - 3 1 1 3 . Any equipment requiring test or periodic operation to
assure its maintenance shall be tested or operated as is specified
elsewhere in this Code or as may be directed by the authority
having jurisdiction.
545 101-7
CHAPTER 3. DEFINITIONS
. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the following terms shall, for

the purpose of the Life Safety Code, have the meanings indicated
in this section.
Words used in the present tense include the future; words used in
the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular
number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
Where terms are not defined in this Chapter, they shall have their
ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context may imply.
A p a r t m e n t House: See 11-0001.
Approved: (1) Materials, devices or construction - - accepted

by the authority having jurisdiction under the provisions of the
Code by reason of tests or investigations conducted by it or by an
agency satisfactory to the authority or by reason of accepted
principles or tests by national authorities, technical or scientific
organizations. (2) Occupancy or use - - accepted by the authority
having jurisdiction under the provisions of the Code by reason of
the submission of adequate proof of conformity with the basic
requirements of the Code.
Area: See Floor Area.
A u t h o r i t y H a v i n g Jurisdiction: The duly authorized repre-

sentative or agency having legal enforcement responsibility in
cases where the Life Safety Code is applied with the force of law.
Where the Life Safety Code is applied on a contractual basis, the
contract shall specify the individual or agency to act as the authority
Automatic: As applied to fire-protection devices, a device or

system providing an emergency function without the necessity of
human intervention and actuated as a result of a predetermined
temperature rise, rate of rise of temperature, or combustion products,
such as an automatic sprinkler system, automatic fire door, auto-
matic fire shutter, or automatic fire vent.
Basement: A n y story or floor level below the main or street floor.

Where, due to grade differences, there arc two levels each qualifying
as a street floor, a basement is any floor level below the lower of the
two street floors.
546
Building: A structure enclosed with exterior walls or fire walls

built, erected, and framed of component structural parts, designed
for the housing shelter, enclosure or support of individuals, animals,
chattels, or property of any kind. The term building shall be
construed as if followed by the words or portion thereof.
See Structure.
Combustible: Capable of undergoing combusEion.
Combustion: Any chemical process that involves oxidation suf-

ficient to produce light or heat.
Court: An open, uncovered and unoccupied space, unobstructed

to the sky, bounded on two or more sides by the exterior walls of
a building. An inner court is a court bounded on all sides by the
exterior walls of a building or exterior walls and lot lines on which
walls are allowable.
Escalator: A moving stairway. See 5-8.
Existing: T h a t which is already in existence at the date when

this Code goes into effect, as, existing buildings, structures or exit
facilities.
Exit: See 5-1121.
Exit Access: See 5-1121.
Exit Discharge: See 5-1121.
Fire Door: A fire-resistive door assembly, including frame and

hardware, which under standard test conditions, meets the fire
protective requirements for the location in which it is to be used.
Fire E n d u r a n c e : A measure of the elapsed time (luring which a

material or assembly continues to exhibit fire resistance under
specified conditions of test and performance. As applied to elements
of buildings it shall be measured by the methods and the criteria
defined in the Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construc-
tion and Materials, or, the Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door
Assemblies. (See Appendix B for list of Standards.)
Fire Exposure: The subjection of a material or construction to

a high heat flux from an external source, with or without flame
impingement. (External sources, as used here, ,nay include build-
ing contents or building components.)
DEFINITIONS
547
101--9
Fire Resistance:..,The property of a material or assembly to

withstand fire or give protection from it. As applied to elements
of buildings, it is characterized by the ability to confine a fire or to
continue to perform a given structural function or both.
Fire Resistance Rating: The time, in hours, that materials or
assemblies have withstood a fire exposure as established in ac-
cordance with the test procedures of Standard Methods of Fire
Tests of Building Construction and Materials. (See Appendix B
for list of Standards.)
Fire Resistive: Having fire resistance.
Fire R e t a r d a n t : Having or providing comparatively low flam-
mability or flame spread properties.
Fire Shutter: See Fire Door.
Fire W i n d o w : See Fire Door.
F l a m e S p r e a d : Flaming combustion along a surface.
F l a m m a b l e : Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming com-

bustion.
Flight of Stairs: A combination of consecutive treads and risers

between one floor or landing level and the next.
Floor Area, Gross: For the purpose of determining the number

of persons for whom exits are to be provided, or for purposes of
classification of occupancy, gross floor area shall be the floor area
within the perimeter of the outside walls of the building under
consideration with no deduction for hallways, stairs, closets, thick-
hess of walls, columns, or other features. Where the term area is
used elsewhere in this Code, it shall be understood to be gross area
unless otherwise specified.
Floor Area, Net: For the purpose of determining the number of

persons for whom exits are to be provided, net floor area shall be
the actual occupied area, not including accessory unoccupied areas
or thickness of walls.
Floor Level: T h e upper surfacc of the lower floor of a story,

whether the floor is actually horizontal or has a slight slope to over-
come differences in elevation. A floor level also includes any por-
tions raised or depressed by not more than 3 feet from the principal
floor level where the raised or depressed portion is treated archi-
tecturally as part of the same story.
548
101-10 L I F E SAFETY CODE
Grade: T h e average elevation of the ground, paved or unpaved,

adjoining a building or structure, at the center of each exterior wall.
G u a r d : A vertical barrier erected along exposed edges such as of

stairways, balconies, etc.
H a n d r a i l : A bar or pipe to furnish persons with a handhold.

(A handrail, if of suitable design, may also serve as part of a guard.)
H a z a r d o u s Areas: Areas of structures, buildings or parts thereof,

used for purposes that involve highly combustible, highly flammable,
or explosive products or materials which are likely to burn with
extreme rapidity or which may produce poisonous fumes or gases,
including highly toxic, or noxious alkalies, acids, or other liquids
or chemicals, which involve flame, fume, explosive, poisonous or
irritant hazards; also uses that cause division of material into fine
particles or dust subject to explosion or spontaneous combustion,
and uses that constitute a high fire hazard because of the form,
character, or volume of the material used.
H o r i z o n t a l Exit: See 5-5.
Hospital: See 10--0001.
Means of Egress: See 5-1121.
New: T h a t which is constructed, erected, or installed subsequent

to the date at which this Code goes into effect.
N o n c o m b u s t i b l e : As applied to building construction material

means material which, in the form in which it is used, falls in one of
the following groups (a) through (c) shall be accepted as noncom-
bustible. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is
subject to increase in combustibility or flame spread rating beyond
the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or
other atmospheric condition. Flame spread rating as used herein
refers to ratings obtained according to the Standard Test Method
listed in Appendix B.
a. Materials no part of which will ignite and burn when subjected
to fire.
b. Materials having a structural base of noncombustible material
as defined in (a), with a surfacing not over ~ inch thick which has
a flame spread rating not higher than 50.
DEFINITIONS
549101--11
c. Materials, other than as described in (a) or (b), having a sur-

face flame spread rating not higher than 25 without evidence of
continued progressive combustion and of such composition that
surfaces that would be exposed by cutting through the material in
any way would not have a flame spread rating higher than 25 with-
out evidence of continued progressive combustion.
Nursing Home: See 10-0001.
Occupancy: The purpose for which a building is used or in-

tended to be used.
O c c u p a n t Load: The total number of persons that may occupy

a building or portion thereof at any one time.
Platform, Enclosed: Sec 8-1511.
P u b l i c Way: Any parcel of land unobstructed from the ground

to the sky, more than 10 feet in width, appropriated to the free
passage of the general public.
R a m p : An inclined planc connecting several levels.
Residential-Custodial Care Facility: See 10-0001.
Rooming Houses: See 11-0001.
Self-Closing: Equipped with an approved device which will

insure closing after having been opcncd.
Stage: See 8-1511.
Story: T h a t portion of a building between tile vpper surface of

any floor and the upper surface of tile floor next above, except that
the topmost story shall be that portion of a building between the
upper surface of the topmost floor and the upper surface of the
roof above.
Street: Any public thoroughfare (street, avcnue, boulcvard)

30 feet or more in width which has been dedicated or deeded to
the public for public use and is accessible for use by the Firc Dcpart-
ment in fighting fire. Enclosed spaccs and tunnels, cvcn though uscd
for vehicular and pedestrial traffic are not considcred as strccts for
the purposes of the Life Safety Code.
550
Street Floor: Any story or floor level accessible from the street,
or from outside the building at grade, with floor level at main
entrance not more than 21 inches above nor more than one foot
below street or grade level at these points, and so arranged and
utilized as to qualify as the main floor. Where due to differences
in street levels there are two or more stories accessible from the
street, each is a street floor for the purposes of the Life Safety Code.
Where there is no floor level within the specified limits for a street
floor above or below grade, the building shall be considered as
having no street floor.
Structure: An assembly of materials forming a construction for

occupancy or use including among others, buildings, stadiums,
public assembly tents, reviewing stands, platforms, stagings, ob-
servation towers, radio towers, water tanks, trestles, piers, wharves,
open sheds, coal bins, shelters, fences, and display signs. The
term structure shall be construed as if followed by the words or
part thereof.
See Building.
Unit of Exit W i d t h : See 5-1151. (1) Doors: See 5-2; (2) Re-
volving Doors: See 5-2.
Vertical Openings: Openings through floors for stairways, ele-

vators, conveyors, and the like, or for purposes of light and ventila-
tion.
Yard: An open, unoccupied space other than a court, unob-

structed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically pro-
vided by the Life Safety Code, on the lot on which a building is
situated.
551
101-13
CHAPTER 4.
CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY
AND HAZARD OF CONTENTS
S E C T I O N 4-1. C L A S S I F I C A T I O N OF O C C U P A N C Y
4---111.'i A building or structure shall be classified as follows, sub-
ject to the ruling of the authority having jurisdiction in case of
question as to the proper classification in any individual case.
4--112.* Assembly (for requirements see Chapter 8)

Places of assembly include but are not limited to all buildings
or portions of buildings used for gathering together of 100 or more
persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment,
amusement, or awaiting transportation. Assembly occupancies in-
elude:
Theaters Restaurants
Motion-picture theaters Churches
Assembly halls Dance halls
Aud itoriums Club rooms
Exhibition halls Passenger stations and terminals of
Museums air, surface, underground, and ma-
Skating rinks rine public transportation facilities
Gymnasiums Recrcatio,~ piers
Bowling lanes Courtrooms
Pool rooms Conference ,'ooms
Armories Mortuary chapels
Occupancy of any ,'oom or space for assembly purposes b.y
less than 100 pe,'sons in a building of other occupa,lcy and ino-
dental to such other occupancy shall be classed as part of the
other occupancy and subject to the provisions applicable thereto.
4--113.* Educational (for requirements see C'hapter 9)

Educational occupancies include all buildings used more than 8
hours per week for the gatheri,lg of groups of 6 or more persons for
purposes of instruction. Educational occupancies include:
Schools Academics
Universities Nursery schools
Colleges Kindergartens
Other occupancies associated with educational institutions shall
bc in accordance with the approp,'iate parts of this Code.
552
In cases where instruction is incidental to some other occu-

pancy, the section of this Code governing such other occupancy
shall apply.
4-114. Institutional (for requirements see Chapter 10)

Institutional buildings are those used for purposes such as medi-
cal or other treatment or care of persons suffering from physical or
mental illness, disease or infirmity; for the care of infants, con-
valescents or aged persons; and for penal or corrective purposes.
Institutional buildings provide sleeping facilities for the occupants
and are occupied by persons who are mostly incapable of self-
preservation because of age, physical or mental disability, or be-
cause of security measures not under the occupants' control.
Institutional buildings are treated in this Code in the following
groups:
a. Health care facilities
Hospitals
Nursing homes
b. Residential-custodial care
Nurseries
Homes for the aged
Mentally retarded care institutions
c. Residential-restrained care
Penal institutions
Reformatories
Jails
4-115. Residential (for requirements see Chapter 11)

A residential building is one in which sleeping accommodations
are provided for normal residential purposes, and includes all
buildings designed to provide sleeping accommodations except
those classified under Institutional.
Residential buildings are treated separatcly in this Code in the
following groups:
a. Hotels
Motels
b. Apartments
Condominiums
c. Dormitories
Orphanages for over age 6
d. Lodging or rooming houses
e. 1- and 2-family dwellings
553
CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY 101-15
4-116.* Mercantile (for requirements see Chapter 12)

Mercantile occupancies include stores, markets, and other rooms,
buildings, or structures for the display and sale of merchandise.
Included in this occupancy group are:
Supermarkets Drugstores
Department stores Auction rooms
Shopping centers
Minor merchandising operations in buildings predominantly of
other occupancies, such as a newsstand in an office building, shall
be subject to the exit requirements of the predominant occupancy.
4-117.* Office (for requirements see Chapter 13)

Office buildings are those used for the transaction of business
(other than that covered under Mercantile), for the keeping of ac-
counts and records and similar purposes. Included in this oc-
cupancy group are:
Doctors offices Town halls
Dentists offices Courthouses
City hails Libraries
Minor office occupancy incidental to operations in another oc-
cupancy shall be considered as a part of the predominating oc-
cupancy and shall be subject to the provisions of this Code ap-
plying to the predominating occupancy.
4-118. Industrial (for requirements see Chapter 14)

Industrial occupancies include factories making products of all
kinds and properties devoted to operations such as processing, as-
sembling, mixing, packaging, finishing or decorating, repairing,
and similar operations, including, among others, the following:
Factories of all kinds Laundries
Laboratories Creameries
Dry cleaning plants Gas plants
Power plants Refineries
Pumping stations Sawmills
Smokehouses
554
4 - U 9 . * Storage (for requirements see Chapter 15)

Storage includes all buildings or structures utilized primarily
for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products,
vehicles, or animals. Included in this occupancy group are:
Warehouses Parking garages
Cold storage Hangars
Freight terminals Grain elevators
Truck and marine terminals Barns
Bulk oil storage Stables
Minor storage incidental to other occupancy shall be treated as
part of the other occupancy.
4-120. Miscellaneous
This occupancy class includes any building or. structure which
cannot be properly classified in any of the preceding occupancy
groups either by reason of some function not encompassed or some
unusual combination of functions necessary to the purpose of the
building or structure. Such miscellaneous buildings and structures
shall conform to the fundamental principles stated in Chapter 2 of
this Code, and to any specific provisions applicable tllercto in
Chapter 16.
4-121. M i x e d Occupancies
In case two or more classes of occupancy occur in the same
building or structure so intermingled that separate safeguards are
impracticable, the exit facilities shall be sufficient to meet exit re-
quirements for each individual room or section, and for the maxi-
m u m population of the entire building. Construction, protection,
and other safeguards shall meet requirements of the most hazardous
occupancy unless otlaerwise specified in Chapters 8 througla 16.
S E C T I O N 4--2. H A Z A R D OF C O N T E N T S
4-2111. The hazard of contents, for the purpose of this Code,
shall be the relative danger of the start and spread of fire, the
danger of smoke or gases generated, tile danger of explosion or
other occurrence potentially endangering the lives and safety of
the occupants of the building or structure.
4-2112.* Hazard of contents shall be determined by the authority
having jurisdiction on the basis of the character of the contents and
HAZARD OF CONTENTS
555
101-17
the processes or operations conducted in the building or structure,

provided, however, that where the combustibility of the building,
the flame spread rating of the interior finish or other features of
the building or structure are such as to involve a hazard greater
than the hazard of contents, the greater degree of hazard shall
govern.
4-2113.* Where different degrees of hazard of contents exist in
different parts of a building or structure the most hazardous shall
govern the classification for the purpose of this Code, except in as
far as hazardous areas are segregated or protected as specified in
Section 6-5 and the applicable sections of Chapters 8 through 16.
4-212. Classification of H a z a r d of Contents

4-2121. The hazard of contents of any building or structure shall
be classified as ordinary, high, or low in accordance with 4-2122,
4-2123 and 4-2124.
4-2122.* Low hazard contents shall be classified as those of such
low combustibility that no self-propagating firc therein can occur
and that consequently the only probable danger requiring the use
of emergency cxits will bc from panic, fumes, or smoke, or fire from
some external source.
4-2123.* High hazard contents shall bc classified as those which
are liable to burn with extreme rapidity or from which poisonous
fumes or explosions arc to be feared in the event of fire.
4-2124.* Ordinary hazard contents shall bc classified as those
which arc llablc to burn with moderate rapidity and to give off"
a considerable volume of smoke, but from which neither poisonous
fumes nor explosions are to be feared in case of fire.
4--215. Special Provisions for H i g h H a z a r d Contents

4--2151.* In all cases where the contents arc classified as high haz-
ard, exits shall be provided of such tppes and numbers and so ar-
ranged as to permit all occupants to escape from the building or
structure, or frown the hazardous arcs thereof, to the outside or to a
place of safety with a travel distance of not over 75 feet, measured
as specified in 5-118.
4-2132. Capacity of exits provided in accordance with 4-2131
shall be as specified in the applicable section of Chapters 8 through
16, but not less than such as to provide 1 unit for each 30 persons
where exit is by inside or outside stairs, or 1 unit for each 50 persons
where exit is by doors at grade level, by horizontal exits or by
Class A ramps.
556
101-18
CHAPTER 5. MEANS OF EGRESS
S E C T I O N 5-1. G E N E R A L P R O V I S I O N S
5-111. Applicat/on
5-1111. Means of egress for both new and existing buildings shall
comply with this Chapter except as may be modified for individual
occupancies by Chapters 8 through 16.
5-1112. Any alteration or addition that would reduce means of
egress below the requirements for new buildings is prohibited.
5-1113. Any change of occupancy that would reduce mcans of
egress below the requirements for new buildings is prohibited.
5-112.* Definitions
5-1121. A means of egress is a continuous path of travel from any
point in a building or structure to the open air outside at ground
level and consists of 3 separate and distinct parts: (a) the way of
exit access, (b) the exit and (c) the means of discharge from the exit.
A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal means of
travel and may include the room space, doorway, corridor, hallway,
passageway, stairs, ramp, lobby, escalator, and other paths of travel.
a. Exit access is that portion of a means of egress which leads to an
entrance to an exit.
b. Exit is that portion of a means of egress which is separated from
the area of the building from which escape is to be made by walls,
floors, doors, or other means which provide the protected path
necessary for the occupants to proceed with reasonable safety to the
exterior of the building.
c. Exit discharge is that portion of a means of egress between the
termination of the exit at the exterior of the building and ground
level.
5-113.* Permissible Exit C o m p o n e n t s

5-1131. An exit shall consist only of the approved components
that are described, regulated, and limited as to use by Sections
5-2 through 5-11. Exit components shall be constructed as an
integral part of the building or shall be permanently affixed thereto.
MEANS OF EGRESS ~ GENERAL
557
101-19
5-114. Protective Enclosure of Exits

5-1141. When an exit is required to be protected by separation
from other parts of the building by some requirement of this Code,
the separating construction shall meet the following requirements:
a. T h e separation shall have at least a l-hour fire resistance rating
in buildings not more than 3 stories in height.
b. The separation shall have at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating
in buildings more than 3 stories in height, shall be constructed of
noncombustible materials, and shall bc supported by construction
having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
c. Any opening therein shall be protected by an approved self-
closing fire door.
5-115. M e a s u r e m e n t of W i d t h of M e a n s of Egress
5-1151.* Exits and exit access shall be measured in units of exit
width of 22 inches. Fractions of a unit shall not be counted, except
that 12 inches added to one or more full units shall be counted as
one-half a unit of exit width.
5-1152.* Units of exit width shall be measured in the clear at the
narrowest point of the means of egress except that a handrail may
project inside the measured width on each side not more than
3 ~ inches and a stringer ,nay project inside the measured width
not more than 1 ~ inches. An exit or exit access door swinging into
an aisle or passageway shall not restrict the effective width thereof
at any point during its swing to less than the minimum widths
hereafter specified.
5-116. C a p a c i t y of M e a n s of Egress
5-1161.* The capacity of means of egress for any floor, balcony,
tier, or other occupied space shall be sullicient for the population
thereof. The population shall bc the maximum nmnber of persons
that may be in the space at any timc, as deternfined by the au-
thority having jurisdiction, but shall not bc less than the number
computed in accordance with the requirements of Chapters 8
through 16 for individual occupancies. Where both gross and net
area figures are given for the same occupancy class, the gross area
figure shall be applied to the building or structure as a whole. A
separate calculation shall then be made for those spaces where
population is determined on the basis of net area and if the total
population determined on the net area basis exceeds that on the
gross area basis, the exit facilities shall be based on the larger
population figure.
558
5-1162. Where exits serve more than "1 floor, only the population
of each floor considered individually need be used in computing
the capacity of the exits at that floor, provided that exit capacity
shall not be decreased in the direction of exit travel. ' W h e n exits
from floors above and below converge at an intermediate floor,
the capacity of the exit from the point of convergence shall be not
less than the sum of the two.
5-117. N u m b e r of Exits
5-1171.* When more than 1 exit is required from a story, at least
2 of the exits shall be remote from each other and so arranged as
to minimize any possibility that both may be blocked by any one
fire or other emergency condition.
5.-118. M e a s u r e m e n t of Distance to Exits

5-1181.* The distance to an exit shall be measured on the floor
or other walking surface along the center line of the natural path of
travel, starting 1 foot from the most remote point, curving around
any corners or obstructions with a 1-foot clearance therefrom, and
ending at the center of the doorway or other point at which the
exit begins• Where measurement includes stairs, it shall be taken
in the plane of the tread nosing.
5-1182. In the case of open areas, distance to exits shall be meas-
ured from the most remote point subject to occupancy. In the case
of individual rooms subject to occupancy by not more than 6 per-
sons, distance to exits shall be measured from the doors of such
rooms provided the path of travel from any point in the room to
the room door does not exceed 50 feet.
5-1183. Where open stairways are permitted, as a path of travel
to required exits, such as between mezzanines or balconies and the
floor below, the distance shall include the travel on the stairway,
and the travel from the end of thc stairway to reach an outside door
or other exit, in addition to the distance to reach the stairway.
5-1184. Where any part of an outside stair or other outside exit
is within 15 feet horizontal distance of any unprotected building
opening, as permitted by 5-4121 for outside stairs, thc distance to
the exit shall include the length of travel, to ground level, on the
exit itself.
5-119.* Exit Distance a n d D e a d - E n d Limits

5-1191. The maximum distance in any occupied space to at least
1 exit, measured in accordance with the preceding requirements,
shall not exceed the limits specified for individual occupancies by
Chapters 8 through 16.
MEANS OF EGRESS -- GENERAL
559
101-21
5-1192. Exits and exit access sh~dl be so arranged that there are
no dead-end pockets or hallways whose depth exceeds the limits
specified for individual occupancies by Chapters 8 through 16.
5-120. Access to Exits

5-1201. Exits shall be so located and exit access shall be so ar-
ranged that exits are readily accessible at all times. Where exits
are not immediately accessible from an open floor area, safe and
continuous passageways, aisles, or corridors leading directly to
every exit and so arranged as to provide convenient access for each
occupant to at least 2 exits by separate ways of travel, except as a
single exit or limited dead ends are permitted by other provisions
of this Code, shall be maintained.
5-1202. A door from a room to an exit or to a way of exit access
shall be of the side-hinged, swinging type. It shall swing with exit
travel when the room is occupied by more than 50 persons or used
for a high hazard occupancy. Such access doors shall conform to
the appropriate requirements of Section 5-2, Exit Doors.
5-1203. In no case shall access to an exit be through a bathroom,
bedroom, or other room subject to locking, except where the exit
is required to serve only the bedroom or other room subject to •
locking, or adjoining rooms constituting part of the same dwelling
or apartment used for single family occupancy.
5-1204.* Ways of exit access and the doors to exits to which they
lead shall be so designed and arranged as to be clearly recognizable
as such. No hangings or draperies shall be placed over exit doors
or otherwise so located as to conceal or obscure any exit. No
mirrors shall be placed on exit doors. No mirrors shall be placed
in or adjacent to any exit in such a manner as to confuse the direc-
tion of exit.
5-1205. Exit access shall be so arranged that it will not bc neces-
sary to travel toward any area of high hazard occupancy in order to
reach the nearest exit, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded
from the high hazard location by suitable partitions or other physi-
cal barriers.
5-1206. Where the floor of a way of exit access is not substantially
level, such differences in elevation shall bc negotiated by stairs or
ramps conforming to the requirements of this chapter for exit stairs
and exit ramps. Such stairs or ramps need not be enclosed unless
they connect two or morc separate stories.
5-1207. The minimum width of any way of exit access shall be
560
!t!~ L1~z SA~STY CODZ
as specified for individual occupancies by Chapters 8 through 16;

but in no case shall such width be less than 28 inches. Where a
single way of exit access leads to an exit, its capacity in terms of
width shall be at least equal to the required capacity of the exit
to which it leads. Where more than one way of exit access leads
to an exit, each shall have a width adequate for the number of
persons it must accommodate.
5-121. Exterior Ways of Exit Access

5-1211. Access to an exit may be by means of any exterior balcony,
porch, gallery, or roof that conforms to the requirements of this
Chapter.
5-1212. Exterior ways of exit access shall have smooth, solid floors,
substantially level, and shall have guards on the unenclosed sides
at least equivalent to those specified in 5-316.
5-1215. Where accumulation of snow or ice is likely because of
the climate, the exterior way of exit access shall be protected by a
roof, unless it serves as the sole normal means of access to the rooms
or spaces served, in which case it may be assumed that snow and
ice will be regularly removed in the course of normal occupancy.
5-1214. A permanent, reasonably straight path of travel shall be
maintained over the required exterior way of exit access. There
shall be no obstruction by railings, barriers, or gates that divide
the open space into sections appurtenant to individual rooms,
apartments, or other uses. Where the authority having jurisdiction
finds the required path of travel to be obstructed by furniture or
other movable objects, he may require that they be fastened out of
the way or he may require that railings or other permanent barriers
be installed to protect the path of travel against encroachment.
5-1215. An exterior way of exit access shall be so arranged that
there are no dead ends.
5-1216. Any gallery, balcony, bridge, porch, or other exterior
means of exit access that projects beyond the outside wall of the
building shall be of noncombustible construction.
5-122. Discharge from Exits

5-1221.* All exits shall discharge directly to the street, or to a yard,
court, or other open space that gives safe access to the street. The
streets to which the exits discharge shall be of width adequate to
accommodate all persons leaving the building. Yards, courts, or
other open spaces to which exits discharge shall also be of adequate
width and size to provide all persons leaving the building with
ready access to the street.
MEANS OF EGRESS -- GENERAL
561
101-23
5-1222. W h e r e permitted for individual occupancies by Chapters

8 through 16, a maximunl of 50 pcrccnt of the exits m a y discha~-gc
into street floor areas provided
a. Such exits discharge to a frcc and unobstructcd way to the out-
side of the building;
b. T h e entire street floor area is protected with an approved auto-
matic sprinklcr system; and
c. T h c strcct floor is scparatcd from floors below by construction
having a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
5-1223. Stairs and other exits shall bc so arranged as to makc
clear the direction of egress to the street. Exit stairs that continue
to the basement or other lower stories shall bc interrupted at the
story of discharge by partitions, doors, or other effective ,ncans to
m a k e clear thc direction of egress.
5-123. Headroom
5-1251. Exits and ways of exit acccss shall bc so tlcsigncd and main-
taincd as to proviclc adequate headroom as provided in other scc-
tions of this Code but in no case shall the ceiling height bc less
than 7 fcct 6 inches nor any projection from the ceiling bc less than
6 fcct 8 inchcs from the floor.
5-124. M a i n t e n a n c e a n d W o r k m a n s h i p
5-1241. Doors, stairs, ramps, passages, signs, anti all other com-
ponents of means of egress shall bc of substantial, reliable con-
struction and shall bc built or installed in a workmanlike ,nanncr.
5-1242. Exits, ways of approach thereto, anti ways of travel from
exits into streets or open spaces, shall bc continttously maintained
frcc of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the
case of fire or other emergency.
5-1243. Any device or ala,'m installed to rcstrlct the i,npropcr
use of an exit shall bc so designed and installed that it cannot,
cvcn in case of failure, impede or prevent c,ncrgcncy use of such exit.
S E C T I O N 5-2. F.XIT D O O R S
5-211. Application
5-2111. A door assembly, including the doorway, frame, door, antl
necessary hardware, m a y bc used as a component in a mcans of
egress when it conforms to the general requirements of Section 5-I
562
and to the special requirements of this section. As such, the as-

sembly is designated as a door or exit door.
5-212. Swing
5-2121.* An exit door shall be of the swinging type. It shall swing
with exit travel except when serving a story having a population of
not more than 50 persons, provided there are no high hazard
contents.
5-213. Locks, Latches, Alarm Devices

5-2131.* An exit door shall be so arranged as to be readily opened
from the side from which egress is to be made at all times when the
building served thereby is occupied. Locks, if provided, shall not
require the use of a key for operation from the inside of the building.
5-2132.* A latch or other fastening device on an exit door shall be
provided with a knob, handle, panic bar, or other simple type of
releasing device, the method of operation of which is obvious, even
in darkness.
5-2133. A door designed to be kept normally closed in a means of
egress, such as a door to a stair enclosure or horizontal exit, shall be
provided with a reliable self-closing mechanism, and shall not at
any time be secured in the open position except as permitted by
5-2134 below. An exit door designed to be kept normally closed
shall bear a sign reading substantially as follows:
FIRE EXIT
Please keep door closed
5-2134. In any building of low or moderate hazard contents, as

defined in 4-2122 and 4-2124, where tile authority having jurisdic-
tion approves the installation and finds that the circumstances are
such that reasonable life safety from fire and smoke is not en-
dangered thereby, stairway doors, smokestop doors, and doors on
horizontal exits may be normally open, where
a. Upon release, the door becomes self-closing, and
b. An approved release device is provided, so arranged that upon
interruption of electric current, the door will be released, and
c. The electric current will be positively interrupted by (1) the
operation of an approved automatic sprinkler system which pro-
tects the entire building, including both sides of any horizontal
exit the door of which is held open by any release so controlled,
563
EXIT DOORS 101-25
or, (2) the operafioh of an approved automatic fire detecting

system installed to protect the entire building, so designed and
installed as to provide for actuation of the system so promptly
as to preclude the generation of heat or smoke sufficient to inter-
fere with exit before the system operates, or (3) by the operation
of approved smoke detectors installed in such a way to detect smoke
or other products of combustion on either side of the door opening.
d. Any sprinkler or fire detection system or smoke detector is pro-
vided with such supervision and safeguards as are necessary to assure
complete reliability of operation in case of fire, and
e. The release device is so designed that it may be instantly re-
leased manually, by some simple and readily obvious operation.
5-214. Units of Exit Width

5-2141. In determining the units of exit width for an exit door,
only the actual width of the door leaf shall be measured. Any
projections into the doorway by doorstops or by the hinge stile
shall be disregarded.
5-2142. Where an exit door has 2 or more leaves separated by
mullions, the allowable units of exit w.idth for the entire exit door
shall be the sum of the units of exit width calculated separately for
each individual leaf in the opening.
5-215. W i d t h and Floor Level

5-2151. No single leaf in an exit door shall bc less than 28 inches
wide.
5-2152. No single leaf in an exit door shall exceed 48 inches in
width.
5-2153. The floor on both sides of an exit door shall be substantially
level and shall have the same elevation on both sides of the door,
for a distance on each side at least equal to the width of tile widest
single leaf of the door. When the exit door discharges to the out-
side or to a balcony or other exterior means of exit access, the floor
level outside the door may be one step lower than inside, but not
more than 7 ~ inches lower.
5-216. Panic Hardware

5-2161.* When an exit door is required to be equipped with panic
hardware (fire exit bolts) by some other provision of this Code, the
panic hardware shall cause the door latch to release when pressure
of not to exceed 15 pounds is applied to the releasing devices in the
direction of exit travel.
564
Such releasing devices shall be bars or panels extending not lea

than two-thirds of the width of the door and placed at heights suit-
able for the service required, not less than 30 nor more than 44 inches
above the floor.
Only approved panic hardware shall be used on an exit door.
5-2162. Required panic hardware shall not be equipped with an},
locking or dogging device, set screw, or other arrangement which
can be used to prevent the release of the latch when pressure is
applied to the bar.
5-217. Maintenance
5-2171. No lock, padlock, hasp, bar, chain, or other device, or
combination thereof, shall be installed or maintained at any time
on, or in connection with any door on which panic hardware is
required by this Code if such device prevents, or is intended to
prevent, the free use of the door for exit purposes.
5-218. Power-Operated Doors

5-~181. Where required doors are operated by power, such as doors
with photo-electric actuated mechanism to open the door upon the
approach of a person, or doors with power-assisted manual opera-
tion, the design shall be such that in event of power failure the door
may be manually opened to permit exit travel or closed where
necessary to safeguard ways of exit.
5-2182. No power-operated door shall be counted as a required
exit unless it swings with the exit travel by mechanical or manual
means.
5-219. Screen and Storm Doors

5-2191.* No screen door or storm door in connection with any
required exit shall swing against the direction of exit travel, in
any case where doors are required to swing with the exit travel.
5-220. Revolving Doors

5-2201. A revolving door shall not be used as an exit door except
where specifically permitted by some individual occupancy chapter
of this Code for an exit from the street floor directly to the outside.
It shall not be used at the foot of stairs from upper floors or at the
head of stairs from the basement or other lower floors. Where per-
mitted, the revolving exit door or doors shall not be given credit
for more than 50 percent of the required units of exit width except
as provided in 5-2203, following.
565
E X I T DOORS 101-27
5-2202. Each revolving door may receive credit as constituting

unit of exit width.
Except as provided in 5-2203, below, the number of revolving
doors used as exit doors shall not exceed the number of swinging
doors used as exit doors within 20 feet thereof.
5-2203. Revolving doors may serve as exits, without adjacent
8winging doors, for street floor elevator lobbies if no stairways or
doors from other parts of the building discharge through the lobby,
and the lobby has no occupancy other than as a means of travel be-
tween elevators and street.
5-2204. Revolving doors shall be equipped with means to prevent
their rotation at too rapid a rate to permit orderly egress.
5-221. Turnstiles
5-2211.* No turnstile or similar device to restrict travel to one
direction, or to collect fares or admission charges, shall be so placed
as to obstruct any required exit, except that approved turnstiles
not over 3 feet high, which turn freely in the direction of exit travel,
may be used in any occupancy where revolving doors are permitted.
Turnstiles over 3 feet high shall be subject to the requirements for
revolving doors.
5-2212. Turnstiles in or furnishing access to required exits shall
bc of such design as to provide 22 inches clear width as the turn-
stile rotates.
5-2213. N o turnstile shall be placcd in any required exit, or barring
the w a y of access thereto or travel therefrom, unless immediately
adjacent or within 20 fcct there is a swinging door or gate opening
freely in the direction of exit travel, or an open passage serving the
same general path of travel as the turnstilc.
5-2214. Turnstilcs shall bc rated the samc as revolving doors as
regards units of exit width and rates of travel.
5-222. Folding Doors

5-2221. When permanently mounted folding or movable par-
titions are used to divide a room into smaller spaces, a swinging door
or open doorway shall be provided as a way of exit access from each
such space, except that under the following conditions the swinging
door may be omitted and the partition may be used to enclose the
space completely.
a. The subdivided space shall not be used by more than 20 per-
sons at any time.
566
101-28 LIllE SAFETY CODE
b. T h e use of the space shall be under adult supervision.

c. T h e partitions shall be so arranged that they do not extend across
any aisle or corridor used as a way of access to the required exits
from the floor.
d. T h e partitions shall conform to the interior finish and other ap-
plicable requirements of this Code.
e. The partitions shall be an approved type, shall have a simple
method of release, and shall be capable of being opened quickly
and easily by inexperienced persons in case of emergency.
S E C T I O N 5-3. I N T E R I O R S T A I R S
AND SMOKEPROOF TOWERS
5-311. General
5-3111. All stairs serving as required exits or exit access shall be
of permanent, fixed construction.
5-312. Classes of Stairs

5-3121. Stairs shall be of Class A or Class B types in accordance
with the following table:
Class A Class B
M i n i m u m width clear of all ob- 44 in. 44 in.; 36 in. where
structions except handrails total occupancy of all
which may project not more floors served by stair-
than 3 ~ in. each side way is less than 50.
M a x i m u m height of risers 7½ in. 8 in.
M i n i m u m width of tread ex-
clusive of nosing or projection 10 in. 9 in.
Winders None None
M i n i m u m headroom 6 ft. 8 in. 6 ft. 8 in.
M a x i m u m height between land-
ings 8ft. 12ft.
M i n i m u m dimension of land-
ings in direction of travel 44 in. 44 in.
Doors opening immediately on
stairs, without landing at least
width of door No No
INTERIOR S T A I R S
567
101-29
5-3122. T h e height of every riser and the width of every tread

thaU be so proportioned that the sum of 2 risers and a tread, ex-
clusive of its nosing or projection, is not less than 24 nor more
than 25 inches.
5-3123. The minimum number of steps in any one flight of stairs
shah be 3.
5-313. C a p a c i t y
5-3131. T h e rated capacity of stairs shall be 45 persons per 22-
inch unit except as may be modified by Chapters 8 through 16.
5-314. Enclosures
5-3141. All interior stairways shall be enclosed in accordance
with the provisions of Section 6-1 of this Code, except in so far as
open stairways are permitted by 6-1112.
5-3142. All required stairway enclosures in new buildings shall
have Class A interior finish if over 4 stories in height, Class B if of
lesser height, in accordance with Section 6-2 and subject to the
modifications specified thereby, except as otherwise required for
specific occupancies. ICn no case shall the enclosure of any exit
stairway have an interior finish with flame spread rating greater
than Class C.
5-315. Stair Details

5-3151. Each new stair and platform, landing, etc., used in con-
nection therewith in buildings 4 stories or more in height, and in
all new buildings, required by this Code to be of fire-resistive con-
struction, shall be of noncombustible material throughout except
that handrails are exempted from this requirement. Treads of
stairs and landing floors shall be solid.
5-3152. Each stair, platform, landing, balcony, and stair hallway
floor shall be designed to carry a load of 100 pounds per square foot,
or a concentrated load of 300 pounds so located as to produce
maximum stress conditions.
5-3153. There shall be .no variation exceeding ~6 inch in the
width of treads or in heights of risers in any flight, except as per-
mitted by 5-3181 for monumental stairs.
5-3154. Every tread less than 10 inches wide shall have a nosing
or an effective projection of approximately 1 inch over the level
immediately below.
568
5-3155. Where material of stair treads and landings is such as to

involve danger of slipping, nonslip material shall be provided on
tread surface.
5-3156. The space beneath any stairway built in whole or in
part of combustible material shall be left entirely open or be com-
pletely enclosed without door or other opening.
5-3157. No arrangement of treads known as winders shall be per-
mitted in new stairways, except as permitted by 5-3181 for curved
monumental stairways.
5-3158. Stairways and intermediate landings shall continue with
no decrease in width along the direction of exit travel.
5-316. Guards and Railings

5-3161. Each new stair, stair landing, and balcony appurtenant
thereto for all exits and all aisles located along the edge of open-
sided floors, service stairs and stairs leading from mezzanines which
form part of a path of travel to such exits, shall be guarded against
falls over the open edge and shall have handrails on both sides,
except that handrails shall not be required on level landings or
balconies.
5-3162. Required guards and handrails shall continue for the
full length of each flight of stairs.
5-3163. T h e design of guards and handrails and the hardware
for attaching handrails to guards, balusters, or masonry walls
shall be such that there are no projecting lugs on attachment de-
vices or nonprojecting corners or members of grilles or panels
which may engage loose clothing. Openings in guards shall be de-
signed to prevent loose clothing from becoming wedged in such
openings.
5-3164. Handrail Details.
a. Handrails on stairs shall be not less than 30 inches nor more
than 34 inches above the upper surface of the tread, measured
vertically to the top of the rail, from a point on the tread 1 inch
back from the leading edge, except that on stairways designed for
use by children an additional handrail may be provided lower than
the main handrail.
b. Handrails shall provide a clearance of at least 1 ~ inches be-
tween handrail and wall to which fastened. Handrails shall be of
such design and so supported as to withstand a load of not less than
200 pounds applied at any point, downward or horizontally.
569
hNTERIOR S T A I R S 101-31
c. Handrails shall be so designed as to permit continuous sliding of

hands on them.
d. Every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width
shall have intermediate handrails dividing the stairway into por-
tions not more than 88 inches in width, except that on monumental
outside stairs 2 handrails may be permitted.
5-3165. Guard Details.

a. The height of guards required by 5-3161 shall be measured
vertically to the top of the guard from a point on the tread 1 inch
back from the leading edge or from the floor of landings or balconies.
b. No guards shall be required for inside stairs which reverse
direction at intermediate landings, where the horizontal distance
between successive flights is not more than 1 foot.
¢. Guards shall be not less than 42 inches high. Guards protecting
changes in level one story or less on interior balconies, and mez-
zanines shall be not less than 36 inches high.
d. Guards shall be so constructed that the area in the plane of
the guard from the top of floor, riser, or curb to the minimum
required height of guard shall be subdivided or filled in one of the
following manners:
(1.) A sufficient number of intermediate longitudinal rails so
that the clear distance between rails measured at right angles to
the run of rail does not exceed 10 inches. The bottom rails shall not
be more than 10 inches from the top of floor, tread, or curb measured
vertically. T h e point of measurement from treads shall be as pro-
vided in 5-3165a.
(2.) Vertical balusters spaced not more than 6 inches apart.
(3.) Areas filled wholly or partially by panels of solid wire mesh
or expanded metal construction or by ornamental grilles which
provide protection against falling through the guard equivalent to
that provided by the intermediate rails or vertical balusters speci-
fied in the two preceding paragraphs.
(,t.) T h e lower part of the area may consist of a continuous
substantial curb, the top of which is parallel to the run of stairs or
level areas, and the height of which is not less than 3 inches on
stairs (measured at right angles to the curb from its top to the nosing
of the tread) and not less than 6 inches for level areas.
(5.) Masonry walls may be used for any portion of the guard.
(6.) Any combination of the foregoing that provides equivalent
safety.
570
e. Enclosure walls and guards consisting of masonry, railings, or

other construction shall either be designed for loads transmitted
by attached handrails or shall be designed to resist a horizontal
thrust of 50 pounds per lineal foot applied at the top of the guard,
whichever condition produces maximum stresses. For walls or
guards higher than minimum height the specified thrust shall be
applied at a height of 42 inches above the floor or tread.
f. Intermediate rails, bal'usters, and panel fillers shall be de-
signed for a uniform load over the gross area of the guard (in-
cluding the area of any openings in the guard) of which they are a
part of not less than 25 pounds per square foot. Reactions due to
this loading need not be added to the loading specified by 5-3165e
in designing the main supporting members of guards.
5-317. Smokeproof Towers

5-3171. A smokeproof tower, as herein specified, shall be a con-
tinuous fire-resistive enclosure protecting a stairway from fire or
smoke in the building served, with communication between the
buildin.g and the tower by means of balconies directly open to the
outer air.
5-3172. Stairs in smokeproof towers shall be of noncombustible
construction, and all requirements hereinbefore specified for inside
stairs shall apply to stairs in smokeproof towers.
5-3173. Stairways shall be completely enclosed by brick or con-
crete walls or walls of other materials having adequate structural
strength and fire resistance to withstand a severe fire. There shall
be no openings in walls separating the enclosure from the interior
of the building. Fixed or automatic fire windows arc permitted in
an exterior wall not subject to severe fire exposure hazard from the
same or nearby buildings.
5-3174. Access to a stairway shall be provided from every story
through vestibules open to the outside on an exterior wall or from
balconies overhanging an exterior wall, but not subject to severe
fire exposure hazard. Every such vestibule, balcony, or landing
shall have an unobstructed length and width not less than the re-
quired width of exit doors serving same, and shall be directly open
to a street or alley or yard or to an enclosed court open at the top
not less than 20 feet in width and 1,000 square feet in area. Bal-
conies or vestibules shall have guards not less than 4 feet high
and shall conform with 5-3165d. Wall openings exposing bal-
conies or vestibules shall be protected in accordance with 5-4121.
5-3175. Access from a building to vestibules or balconies shall be
through doorways not less than 40 inches wide for new and 36
OUTSIDE S T A I R S
571
101-33
inches wide for existing towers: These openings and the entrances
to the towers shall be provided with approved, self-closing fire
doors swinging with the exit travel. Clear wired glass not ex-
ceeding 720 square inches shall be provided in all doors giving
access to the enclosure.
5-3176. The level of a vestibule or balcony floor shall be placed
approximately 7½ inches below the floor level of each story where
climatic conditions involve the possibility of blocking doors by
snow or ice. In mild climates in which this hazard is not presented,
the floors shall be approximately level. There shall be no step from
the vestibule or balcony into the stair enclosure.
5-318. M o n u m e n t a l Stairs
5-3181. Monumental stairs, either inside or outside, may be ac-
cepted as required exits if all requirements for exit stairs are com-
plied with, including required enclosures and minimum width of
treads, except that curved stairs may be accepted with a radius of
25 feet or more at the inner edges.
S E C T I O N 5-4. O U T S I D E S T A I R S
5-411. G e n e r a l
5-4111. Any permanently installed stair outside of the building
served may be accepted as a required exit under the same con-
dition as an inside stair, provided that such stairs comply with all
the requirements hereinbefore stated for inside stairs, except as
modified by the following paragraphs of this subsection.
5-4112. Outside stairs, serving as required exits, shall bc so ar-
ranged as to avoid any handicap to tile use of the stairs by persons
having a fear of high places. For stairs more than 3 stories in height
any arrangement intended to meet this requirement shall be at
least 4 fcct in height.
5-4113. Subject to the approval of the authorhy having jurisdic-
tion, outside stairs may be accepted where leading to roofs of
other sections of the building or adjoining building, where the
construction is fire resistive, where there is a continuous and safe
means of exit from the roof, and all other reasonable requirements
for life safety are maintained.
5-412. Enclosures
5-4121. Under all conditions where enclosure of inside stairways
is required, outside stairs shall be separated from the interior of
572
the building by fire-resistive walls the same as required for inside

stairway enclosures, with fire doors or fixed wired glass windows
protecting any openings therein. Such protection shall not be re-
quired where the stairs are located on the side of the balcony or
corridor away from the building if separated from the building by
the full required width of the balcony or corridor, if 3 stories or less
in height. If 4 stories or more in height openings shall be protected
as follows:
a. Horizontally. If within 15 feet of any balcony, platform, or
stairway, constituting a part of the exit proper. This provision
does not apply to a platform or walkway leading from the same
floor to the ~xit proper. Protection need not extend around a right
angle corner (outside angle 270 degrees) of the building except
where stairs are close to such corner.
b. Below. If within 3 stories or 35 feet of any balcony, platform,
walkway, or stairway constituting a part of the exit, or within 2
stories or 20 feet of a platform or walkway leading from any story
to the exit proper.
c. Above. If within 10 feet of any balcony, platform, or walkway,
as measured vertically, or from any stair treads, as measured ver-
ticaUy from the face of the outside riser.
d. Top story. Protection for wall openings in the top story shall
not be required where stairs do not lead to the roof.
5-4122. Where stairs are located in courts the least dimension of
which is less than one-third their height, or in alcoves having width
less than one-third of their height and depth greater than one-
quarter of their height, all openings below shall be protected.
5-4123. Outside stairs in climates subject to snow and ice shall be
protected to prevent accumulation of snow or ice, except in the
case of main entrance stairs providing the principal access to a
building where it may be assumed that normal use of the building
will require removal of snow and ice as a necessary condition for
the entrance of occupants. Balconies, to which access doors lead,
shall be approximately level with the floor of the building, or in
climates where balconies may be subject to accumulation of snow
or ice, one step, not to exceed 7½ inches below the level of the
inside floor.

5-4131. For outside stairs of monumental type, constructed of
stone or concrete, the requirement for a nosing may be waived if
treads are at least 11 inches wide.
OUTSIDE STAIRS
573
101-35
5-4132. Treads shall be solid except that ½"inch diameter per-

forations m a y be permitted.
5-4133. Risers shall be solid except that the skirt type having 1
inch space for drainage may be permitted.
5-4134. Except where embedded in masonry or concrete or where
a suitable fire-resistive and waterproof covering is provided, no
structural metal member shall be employed the entire surface of
which is not capable of being inspected and painted.
5-4135. All supporting members for balconies and stairs, which are
in tension and are fastened directly to the building, shall pass through
the wall and be securely fastened on the opposite side, or they shall
be securely fastened to the framework of the building. Where metal
members pass through walls, they shall be protected effectively
against corrosion.
5-4136. Balcony and stair enclosures and railings shall be de-
signed to withstand a horizontal pressure of 50 pounds per running
foot of railing or enclosure without serious deflection.
S E C T I O N 5-5. H O R I Z O N T A L EXITS
5-511. Application
5-5111.* A horizontal exit is a way of passage from one building
to an area of refuge in another building on approximately the same
level, or a way of passage through or around a fire wall or fire
partition to an area of refuge on approximately the same level in
the same building, which affords safety from fire or smoke from the
area of escape and areas communicating therewith.
5-5112.* Horizontal exits may be substituted for other exits to an
extent that the total exit capacity of the other exits (stairs, ramps,
doors leading outside the building) will not be reduced below half
that required for the entire area of the building or connected
buildings if there were no horizontal exits.
Exception: For institutional occupancies, the total exit capacity
of the other exits (stairs, ramps, doors leading outside the building)
shall not bc rcduced bclow ~ that required for the entire area of
the building.
5-512. Egress from Area of Refuge

5-5121. Every fire section for which credit is allowed in connection
with a horizontal exit shall have in addition to the horizontal exit
or exits at least one stairway, doorway leading outside, or other
574
standard exit. Any fire section not having a stairway or doorway

leading outside shall be considered as part of an adjoining section
with stairway.
5-5122. Every horizontal exit for which credit is given shall be so
arranged that there are continuously available paths of travel
leading from each side of the exit to stairways or other standard
means of egress leading to outside the building.
This requirement is complied with where the entire areas from
each side of the horizontal exit to the stairways or other standard
means of egress are occupied by the same tenant; or where there
are public corridors or other continuously available passageways
leading from each side of the exit to stairways or other standard
means of egress leading to outside the building.
5-5123. Whenever either side of the horizontal exit is occupied,
the doors used in connection with the horizontal exit shall be un-
locked.
5-5124. The floor area on either side of a horizontal exit shall be
sufficient to hold the occupants of both floor areas allowing not less
than 3 square feet clear floor area per person.
5-513. Bridges and Balconies

5-5131. Each bridge or balcony utilized in conjunction with
horizontal exits shall comply with the structural requirements for
outside stairs and shall have guards and handrails in general con-
formity with the requirements of Section 5-3 for stairs and soaoke-
proof towers.
5-5132. Every bridge or balcony shall be at least as wide as the
door leading to it, and not less than 44 inches for new construction.
5-5133. Every door leading to a bridge or balcony serving as a
horizontal exit from a fire area, shall swing with the exit travel
out of the fire area.
5-5134. Where the bridge or balcony serves as a horizontal exit
in one direction, only the door from the bridge or balcony into the
area of refuge shall swing in.
5-5135. Where the bridge or balcony serves as a horizontal exit
in both directions, doors shall be provided in pairs swinging in op-
posite directions, only the door swinging with the exit travel to be
counted in determination of exit width, unless the bridge or bal-
cony has sufficient floor area to accommodate the population of
either connected building or fire area on the basis of 3 square feet
per person or in existing buildings by specific permission of the
HORIZONTAL EXITS
575101--37
authority having jurisdiction, in which case doors on both ends of

the bridge or balcony may swing out from the building.
5-5136. The bridge or balcony floor shall be level with the build-
ing, except that where there is a possibility of blocking doors by
snow or ice the bridge or balcony floor shall be approximately
7½ inches below the building floor level.
5-5137.* Where there is a difference in level between connected
buildings or floor areas, ramps shall be employed. Steps may be
used where the difference in elevation is greater than 21 inches.
R a m p s and stairs shall be in accordance with the sections of this
Code pertaining to ramps, stairs, and outside stairs.
5-5138. All wall openings, in both of the connected buildings or
fire areas, any part of which are within 10 feet of any bridge or
balcony as measured horizontally or below shall be protected with
fire doors or fixed metal frame wired glass windows; provided,
however, that where bridges have solid sides not less .than 6 feet
in height, such protection of wall openings may be omitted.
5-514. Openings through Walls for Horizontal Exits

5-5141. Walls or partitions separating areas between which there
are horizontal exits shall be of noncombustible material having a
2-hour fire resistance rating. They shall provide a separation con-
tinuous to ground except that fire partitions may be omitted on the
street floor i n a c c o r d a n c e with 5-515 when they are supported on
other construction having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating
continuous to the ground.
5-5142.* Any opening in such walls, whether or not such opening

serves as an exit, shall be adequately protected in a standard man-
ner against the passage of fire or smoke therefrom.
5-5143.* Swinging fire doors on horizontal exits shall swing with

the exit travel. Where a horizontal exit serves areas on both sides
of a wall there shall be adjacent openings with swinging doors at
each, opening in opposite directions, with signs on each side of the
wall or partition indicating as the exit the door which swings with
the travel from that side; or other approved arrangements providing
doors always swinging with any possible exit travel.
5-5144.* Normally open automatic sliding fire doors shall not be

used on horizontal exits serving as part of the required exit ca-
pacity of building except by specific permission of the authority
having jurisdiction where the area of the door or doors is so small
576
in relation to the area of the wall, and the volume of the connected .
spaces and other conditions are such that there is no appreciable
hazard of a dangerous accumulation of smoke or fire gases in the
area of refuge before there has been sufficient heat to actuate the
self-closing mechanism of the door.
5-515. Omission of Fire Partition oh Street Floor

5-5151. Where fire partitions are used to provide horizontal exits
on upper floors of a building but the street or ground floor is one
open fire area, the horizontal exits shall qualify as required exits
only where safeguards are provided to prevent spread of fire or
smoke from the street or ground floor to floors above on either
side of the fire partition and required exits from the upper floor areas
on both sides of the fire partitions lead outside without travel through
the street or ground floor area.
5-5152. Safeguards to prevent the spread of fire and smoke up-

wards from a street or ground floor area shall consist of complete
fire-resistive construction with no opening between street or ground
floor area and stories above, or if there are openings such as for
stairs or elevators protection shall consist of fire-resistive enclosures
with fire doors at all openings in the enclosure as specified in 6-1113
and 6-1114, plus complete automatic sprinkler protection for the
street floor and all stories below.
5-5153. Where fire partitions are used to provide horizontal exits

for basement floors or any floors below the street or ground level,
but the street floor is one open fire area, the horizontal exits shall
qualify as required exits only where the construction of the building
is fire resistive or complete automatic sprinkler protection is pro-
vided, and all required exits from all basement or below-grade
areas on both sides of the fire partition lead outside without travel
through the street or ground floor area.
S E C T I O N 5-6. E X I T R A M P S
5-611. Application
5-6111. A ramp may be used as a component in a means of egress
when it conforms to the general requirements of Section 5-1 and
to the special requirements of this Section. As such, it is designated
as a ramp or an exit ramp.
EXIT RAMPS
577101-39
5-612. Classification
5-6121. An exit ramp shall be designated as Class A or Class B
in accordance with the following table:
Class A Class B
Width 44 in. and greater 30 to 44 in.
Slope 1 to 1~1~in 12 1 ~ to 2 in 12
Maximum height between
landings No limit 12 ft.
Capacity in persons per unit
of exit width
Down 60 45
Up 45 45
5-613. Protective Enclosure

5-6131. When a ramp inside a building is used as an exit or exit
component, it shall be protected by separation from other parts of
the building. The separating construction shall meet the following
requirements and, in addition, shall conform to the applicable
portions of Section 6-1.
a. The separation shall have at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating
ha buildings not more than 3 stories in height.
b. The separation shall have at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating
noncombustible materials, and shall be supported by construction
¢. Any opening therein shall be protected by an approved self-
closing fire door.
5-6132. Fixed wired glass panels in steel sash may be installed in
such a separation in a fully sprinklered building.
5-6133. The space beneath any ramp built in whole or in part of
combustible material shall be left entirely open or be completely
enclosed without door or other opening.
5-614. Other Details

5-6141. An exit ramp and the platforms and landings associated
therewith shall be designed for not less than 100 pounds per square
foot live load.
578
5-6142. The slope of a r a m p shall not vary between landings.

Landings shall be level and changes in direction of travel if any
shall be made only at landings.
5-6143. An exit r a m p in a building more than 3 stories in height,
or in a building of any height of noncombustible or fire-resistive
construction, shall be of noncombustible construction. The ramp
floor and landings shall be solid and without perforations.
5-6144. A r a m p shall have a nonslip surface.
5-6145. Guards and handrails complying with 5-316 shall be
provided in comparable situations for exit ramps, except that hand-
rails are not required on Class A exit ramps.
S E C T I O N 5-7. E X I T PASSAGEWAYS
5-711.* Application
5-7111 Any hallway, corridor, passage, tunnel, underfloor pas-
sageway, or overhead passageway may be designated as an exit
passageway and used as an exit or exit component as provided in
5-1121 and 5-1131 when conforming to all other requirements of
Section 5-1 as modified by the provisions of this Section.
5-712. Protective Enclosure and Arrangement

5-7121. When an exit passageway is used as an exit or exit com-
ponent (rather than as exit access) it shall be protected by separation
from other parts of the building. The separating construction shall
meet the following requirements:
a. T h e separation shall have at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating
in buildings not more than 3 stories in height.
b. T h e separation shall have at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating
noncombustible materials, and shall be supported by construction
c. Any opening therein shall be protected by an approved self-
closing fire door.
5-7122. Fixed wired glass panels in steel sash may be installed in
such a separation in a fully sprinklered building.
5-7123. An exit passageway in a building more than 3 stories in
height, or in a building of any height of noncombustible or fire-
resistive construction, shall be of noncombustible construction.
T h e floor shall be solid and without perforations.
ESCALATORS AND MOVING WALKS
579101--41
5-7124. Any stair serving as an exit access to an exit passageway

shall be fully enclosed and separated from other parts of the build-
ing as provided in 5-7121. Such enclosure may be omitted in the
story from which the stair descends when the direction of stair travel
to the exit passageway is downward. No openings are permitted
in the remainder of the enclosure except doors required for exit
access to the exit passageway.
5-713. W i d t h
5-7131. The width of an exit passageway shall be adequate to
accommodate the aggregate capacity of all exits discharging through
it.
5-714. L e n g t h
5-7141. Any exit passageway more than 100 feet in length shall
meet the following requirements:
a. There shall be no openings therein, other than the necessary
entrance and exit doors.
b. T y p e 1 emergency lighting in accordance with Section 5-10
shall be provided.
S E C T I O N 5-8. E S C A L A T O R S AND M O V I N G W A L K S
5-811. Application
5-8111.* An escalator or moving walk may be accepted as a
component in a means of egress when it confor,ns to the general
requirements of Sectioa 5-1 and to the special requirements of this
Section. As such, the escalator is designated as an exit escalator and
the moving walk as a moving walk exit.
5-8112.* A sign indicating the direction of the nearest approved
exit shall be placed at the point of entrance to any escalator or
moving walk that does not conform to or serve as a means of egress.
5-812. Escalators
5-8121.* A n exit escalator shall comply with the applicable re-
quirements for exit stairs of Section 5-3 except as modified in this
Section.
5-8122. No escalator capable of being operated in the direction
contrary to normal exit travel shall be used in a means of egress.
580
• 101-42 LIFE SAFETY CODE
5-8123. An exit escalator shall be of the horizontal tread type and

shall be of noncombustible construction throughout except for the
step tread surfaces, handrails and step wheels.
5-8124. Treads and risers shall be dimensioned in accordance
with Section 5-3 for Interior Stait:s of the class which the escalator
replaces as an exit. Steps shall be not less than 22 inches wide.
5-8125. A single escalator shall be given credit for only 1 unit of
exit width, regardless of actual width.
5-8126. There shall be an unobstructed space of at least 4 inches
outside the handrail and above the handrail for the full length of
the escalator.
5-8127. No single exit escalator shall have an uninterrupted verti-
cal travel of more than 1 story.
5-8128.* An exit escalator shall be designed and operated ac-
cording to generally accepted standards of safe engineering practice.
5-813. Moving Walks

5-8131. Except as modified by this Section, an inclined moving
walk exit shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section
5-6 for ramps, and a level moving walk exit shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 5-7 for exit passageways.
5-8132. No moving walk capable of being operated in the direction
contrary to normal exit travel shall be used in a means of egress.
5-8133.* A moving walk exit shall be designed and operated ac-
cording to generally accepted standards of safe engineering practice.
S E C T I O N 5-9. F I R E ESCAPE STAIRS, L A D D E R S

AND S L I D E ESCAPES
5-91. FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS
5-911. General
5-9111.* Fire escape stairs may be used as required means of exit
only in existing buildings, subject to the provisions of the occu-
pancy chapter applying. Fire escape stairs shall not constitute
581101-43
FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS
more than 50 percent of the required exit capacity in any case. Fire
escape stairs shall not be accepted as constituting any part of the
required exits for new buildings.
5-9112. Fire escape stairs shall provide a continuous unobstructed
safe path of travel to the ground or other safe area of refuge to
which they lead. Where the fire escape is not continuous, as in
cases where stairs lead to an adjoining roof, which must be crossed
before continuing d o w n w a r d travel, the direction of travel shall be
clearly indicated, and suitable walkways with handrails shall be
provided where necessary. W h e r e a single exit way consists of a
combination of inside stairs and fire escape stairs, each shall comply
with the applicable provisions of this Code, and the two shall be so
arranged and connected as to provide a continuous safe path of
travel.
5-912. T y p e s
• 5-9121. T h e following types of fire escape stairs are recognized
by this Code:
Return platform type, superimposed runs
Straight run type, with platforms continuing in the same direction.
Either of these may be parallel to or at right angles to the building.
They m a y be attached to buildings or erected independently of
them and connected by bridges.

5-9131.* Fire escape stairs, depending upon the requirements of
Chapters 8 through 16 of this Code, shall be in accordance with the
following table and subsequent paragraphs.
Existing Stairs I~isting Stairs
for Very Small Buildings
Minimum widths 22 in. clear between 18 in. clear between
rails rails
Minimum horizontal dimen- 22 in. 18 in.
sion any landing or plat-
form
Maximum rise 9 in. 12 in.
Minimum tread, exclusive of 9 in. 6 in.
nosing
Minimum nosing or projection 1 in. No requirement
Tread construction Solid, J,~ in. dia. per° Flat metal bars on edge,
forations permit3ed or square bars secured
agvfinst turning, spaced
1 ~ in. max. on centers
582
Existing Stairs Existing Stairs

for Very Small Buildings
Winders (spiral) None Permitted subject to
capacity penalty
Risers None No requirement
Maximum height between 12 ft. No requirement
landings
Headroom, minimum 7ft. 6 ft. 6 in.
Access to escape Door or casement Windows
windows 24 in. x 6 ft.
6 in. or double hung
windows 30 x 36 in.
clear opening
Level of access opening Not over 12 in. above Same
floor; steps if higher
Discharge to ground Swinging stair sec- Swinging stair, or lad-
tion permitted der if approved
Rated capacity, persons per 45 for 22 in. stair, ac- 10 for 18 in. stair; if
minute cess by door; 20 if ac- winders or ladder from
cess by climbing over bottom balcony, 5; if
window sill both, I
Rated units of exit width, based 1 per 22 in.; t~ per for 18 in. stair; 1/10
on rated capacity 22 in. if access by if winders or bottom
climbing over sill ladder; l/50 if both
5-914. A r r a n g e m e n t and Protection of O p e n i n g s

5 - 9 1 4 1 . Fire escape stairs shall be so a r r a n g e d that they will be
exposed by the smallest possible n u m b e r of window a n d door open-
ings. T h e r e shall be no transoms over doors. Every opening, a n y
portion of which is in tile limits specified below, shall be completely
protected by approved fire doors or metal frame wired glass windows
as follows:
a. Horizontally. If within 15 feet of a n y balcony, platform, or
stairway, constituting a part of the escape proper. This provision
does not apply to a platform or walkway leading from tile sa,ne floor
to the escape proper. Protection need qot extend a r o u q d a right
angle corner (outside angle 270 degrees) of the b u i l d i n g except where
stairs are close to such corner.
b. Below. If within 3 stories or 35 feet of a n y balcony, platform,
walkway, or stairway constituting a part of the escape proper, or
within 2 stories or 20 feet of a platform or walkway leading from a n y
story to the escape proper.
c. Above. If within 10 feet of a n y balcony, platform, or walkway,
as measured vertically, or from any stair treads, as measured
vertically from the face of the outside riser.
d. T o p story. Protection for wall openings shall not be required
where stairs do not lead to the roof.
583
FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS 101-45
5-9142. Where fire escape stairs are located in courts the least
dimension of which is less than one third their height, or in alcoves
having width less than one third of their, height and depth greater
than one quarter of their height, all openings below shall be pro-
tected.
5-9143. The provisions of 5-9141 and 5-9142]may be waived or
modified by the authority having jurisdiction in consideration of
automatic sprinkler protection, low hazard occupancy or other
special conditions.
5-915. Access
5-9151.* Access to fire escape stairs shall be provided in accordance
with 5-9131 and the general provisions of 5-120. Where access is
by way of double hung windows, such windows shall be so counter-
balanced and maintained that they can be readily ope,aed with a
minimum of physical effort. Insert screens, if any, on any type of
opening giving access to fire escape stairs shall be of types that may
be readily opened or pushed out. No storm sash shall be used on
any window providing access to fire escape stairs.
5-9152. Fire escape stairs shall extend to the roof ira all cases where
the roof is subject to occupancy, or is so constructed and arrat~ged
as to provide an area of refuge fi'om fire. In all eases where stairs
do not extend to the roof, access thereto shall be provided by a
ladder in accordance with 5-92, except that such ladder's are not
required in the case of roofs with pitch steeper than 2 inches to
the foot.
5-9153. Balconies to which access doors lead shall be approxi-
mately level with the floor of the bt=ilding, or in climates where
balconies may bc subject to aecurm,lation of snow or ice, one step,
not to exceed 7 ~ inches, below the level of the inside floor.
5-9154. Balconies, to which access is secured through windows
with sills above the inside floor level, shall be not more than 18
inches below the sill. In no case shall the balcony level be above
the sill.
5-916. Materials and Strength

5-9161. Iron, steel, or concrete or other approved no,acombt,stible
material, shall be used for the construction of fire e~ape stairs,
balconies, railings, and other features apput'tenant thereto.
5-9162. Balconies and stairs shall be designed to carry a load of
100 pounds pet- square foot, or a concentrated load of 300 pounds
so located as to produce maximum st,'ess conditions.
584
101--46 LIFE SAFSTY CODE
5-9163. Except where embedded in masonry or concrete or where.

a suitable fire-resistive and waterproof covering is provided, no
structural metal member shall be employed the entire surface of
which is not capable of being inspected and painted.
5-9164. All supporting members for balconies and stairs, which are
in tension and are fastened directly to the building, shall pass through
the wall and be securely fastened on the opposite side, or they shall
be securely fastened to the framework of the building. Where metal
members pass through walls, they shall be protected effectively
against corrosion.
5-9165. Balcony and stair enclosures and railings shall be designed
to withstand a horizontal pressure of 50 pounds per running foot
of railing or enclosure without serious deflection, and support at
walls for such railings or enclosures shall be in the manner specified
in 5-9162 for tension members, except as provided in 5-9166.
5-9166. Notwithstanding the provisions of 5-9162 and 5-9165, the
authority having jurisdiction may approve any existing fire escape
stair for a very small building when it has been shown by load
test or other evidenci~ satisfactory to him to have adequate strength.
5-917. Guards and Handrails

5-9171. All fire escapes shall have walls or guards on both sides,
in accordance with 5-3161 and 5-3165, except for height, which
shall be 42 inches, and 36 inches for fire escapes for very small build-
ings, the height being measured vertically from a point on the
stair tread one inch back from the leading edge, or vertically above
any landing or balcony floor level.
5-9172. All fire escapes shall have handrails on both sides, not
less than 30 inches nor more than 42 inches high, measured yer-
tically from a point on the stair tread one inch back from "the leading
edge, all in general conformity to the requirements for stair hand-
rails, 5-3161 through 5-3164.
5-9173. Handrails and guards shall be so constructed as to with-
stand a force of 200 pounds applied downward or horizontally at
any point.
5-918. Swinging Stairs

5-9181. Swinging stair sections shall not be used for fire escape
stairs except where termination over sidewalks, alleys, or drive-
ways makes it impracticable to build stairs permanently to the
FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS
585
101-47
ground. Where used, swinging stairs shall comply with 5-9182-

5-9189.
i
5-9182. Swinging section of stairs shall not be located over doors,
over the path of travel from any 6ther exit, nor be in any location
where there are or are likely to be obstructions.
5-9183. Width of swinging section of stairs shall be at least equal
to that of the stairs above.
5-9184. Pitch shall not be steeper than that of the stairs above.
5-9185. Railings shall be provided similar in h~ight and construc-
tion to those required for the stairs above. Railings shall be de-
signed to prevent any possibility of injury to persons at head of
stairs or on balconies when stairs swing downward. Minimum
clearance between moving sections where hands might be caught
shall be 4 inches.
5-9186. If distance from lowest platform to ground exceeds 12 feet,
an intermediate balcony ,tot more than 12 feet from the ground nor
less than 7 feet in the clear underneath, shall be provided with
width not less than that of the stairs and length not less than 4 feet.
5-9187. Counterweight shall be provided for swinging stairs and
this shall be of type balancing about a pivot, no cables being used.
Counterweight shall be securely bolted in place, except that sliding
ball weights or thei," equivalent may be used to hold stairs up and
to help lower them. Counterbalancing shall be such that a weight of
150 pounds, one step from pivot will not start swinging section
downward, and a weight of 150 pounds, one quarter of the length
of the swinging stairs from the pivot will positively cause stairs to
swing down.
5-9188. Pivot for swinging stairs shall either have a bronze bushing
or have sufficient clearance to prevent sticking on account of cor-
rosion.
5-9189.* No latch to lock swinging stair section in t,p position
shall be installed.
5-92. FIRE ESCAPE L A D D E R S

5-921. Use
5-9211. No form of ladder shall be used as a fire escape undcr the

provisions of this Code, except that ladders conforming to the fol-
lowing specifications may bc used to provide access to unoccupied
586
roof spaces as permitted by 5-9152, to provide a means of escape

from boiler rooms, grain elevators and towers as permitted by
Chapters 15 and 16, elevated platforms around machinery or similar
spaces subject to occupancy only by able-bodied adults, not more
than three in number. Existing ladders may also be accepted to
provide access to the street from the lowest balcony of fire escape
stairs for very small buildings, if approved by the authority having
jurisdiction, subject to the limitations in capacity specified in 5-9131.
5-922. Installation
5-9221.* All ladders shall be permanently installed in fixed po-
sition, supported by rigid connection to the bttilding or structure
at intervals not exceeding 10 feet.
5-9222. Where ladders provide access to roofs or elevated plat-

forms, rails shall extend not less than 45 inches above roof line or
platform floor, or 45 inches above coping or parapet if there is one.
Extension of side rails to roof shall be carried over coping or parapet
to afford hand hold.
5-9223. Ladders shall be arranged parallel to buildings, or struc-

tures, with travel either between ladder and building, in which
case minimum clearance between center of rungs and building shall
be 27 inches, or outside of ladder, in which case minimum clearance
between center of rungs and building shall be 6 ~ inches.
5-9224. Ladders shall be vertical, or may be positively inclined.

No negative incline (ladder sloping out over head of person using
it) shall be permitted.
5-923. Construction
5-9231. Ladders shall be constructed of iron or steel, or of other
metal in design having equivalent strength and resistance to cor-
rosion.
5-9232. Rails of iron or steel ladders shall be not less than ~ inch
x 2 inches in section, not less than 16 inches apart.
5-9233. Rungs shall be not less than ~ inch diameter, and shall
be riveted or welded in position, not less than 10 inches nor more
than 12 inches on centers.
5-9234. The lowest rung of any ladder shall be ,lot more than 12
inches above the level of the ground or balcony floor beneath it.
F I R E ESCAPE STAIRS
587101--49
5-93. SLIDE ESCAPES

5-931. Use a n d Capacity Rati4~g
5-9311. Slide escapes shall riot be used as required exits except as
specifically authorized by Chapters 8 through 16 which recognizes
their use in certain existing buildings and as a primary exit from
upper stories of high hazard manufacturing buildings or structures.
5-9312. Slide escapes shall only be counted as exits when regularly
used in drills, or for normal exit, so that occupants are through
practice, familiar with their use.
5-9313. Slide escapes, where permitted as required exits, shall be
rated at one exit unit per slide, with rated travel capacity of 60
persons per minute.
5-9314. Slide escapes, except as pertnitted for high hazard manu-
facturing buildings or strt~ctures, shall not constitute more than
25 percent of the required ,1umber of units of exit width from any
buildi,lg or structure or any i]ldividual story or floor thereof.
5-9315. Slide escapes used as exits shall comnply with the applicable
requirements of Chapter 5 for other types of exits subject to the
discretio,1 of the authority having j'u,'isdiction.
5-932. T y p e s
5-932t. Each slide escape shall be of an approved type.
SEC~FION 5-10. E X I T I L L U M I N A T I O N
5-1011. General
5-10111. lllu,nination of means of egress shall be provided for
every building and structure where artificial lighting is provided
for normal use and occupancy of the buildi,~g o," structure. No
artificial lighting for means of egress shall be required in any build-
ing or structure designed solely for daylight occupancy and where
no artificial lighting is provided for purposes of general use and oc-
cupancy.
5-10112. Every exit and the necessary ways of exit access thereto
shall be illuminated to facilitate egress. Such illv,ninatio,a shall be
continuous during the time that the conditions of occupancy re-
quire that the means of egress be available for use. Artificial light-
ing shall be employed at such places and for such periods of time as
required to maintain the illumination to the minimum foot-candle
values herein specified.
588
5-10113.* Where required by Chapters 8 through 16 for individual

occupancies, the floors of exits and of ways of exit access shall be
illuminated at all points such as angles and intersections of corri-
dors and passageways, stairways, landings of stairs, and exit doors
to values of not less than 1.0 foot-candle measured at the floor.
5-10114.* In every auditorium or other place of assembly where
pictures, motion pictures or other projections are made by means
of directed light the illumination of the floors of exit ways may
be reduced during such period of projection to values of not less
than ~ foot-candle.
5-10115. Any required illumination shall be so arranged that the
failure of any single lighting unit, such as the burning out of an
electric bulb, will not leave any area in darkness.
5-10116. The same equipment or units installed to meet the re-
quirements of Section 5-11 may also serve the function of illumina-
tion of means of egress provided that all applicable requirements
of this Section for such illumination are also met.
5-1012. Sources of Illumination

5-10121. Exit illumination shall be from a source of reasonably
assured reliability, such as public utility electric service.
5-10122.* Where electricity is used as a source of exit illumination
the installation shall be properly made in accordance with recog-
nized good practice.
5-10123. No battery operated electric light nor any type of port-
able lamp or lantern shall be used for primary exit illumination,
but may be used as an emergency source to the extent permitted
under Emergency Lighting, 5-102.
5-10124. No luminescent or fluorescent or reflective material may
be used as a substitute for any of the required illumination herein
specified.
5-102. Emergency Lighting

5 - 1 0 2 1 1 . * In places of assembly and in other occupancies as
specified in Chapters 8 through 16, emergency lighting facilities
shall be provided for exits so arranged that necessary exit illumina-
tion will be maintained in the event of failure of the normal lighting
of the building.
5-10212.* Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to main-
tain the specified degree of illumination in the event of failure
EXIT ILLUMINATION
589
101-51
of the normal lighting for a period of at least ~ hour, and for a period
of at least 1 hour in hospitals and institutions.
5-10213.* Type 1, 2, or 3 emergency lighting shall be provided
as specified in Chapters 8 through 16, subject to the approval of the
authority having jurisdiction as to the suil[ability of the equipment
for its intended use and the conditions in the individual premises.
5-10214.* Electric battery operated emergency lights shall use
only reliable types of storage batteries, except as permitted by
5-10223c, suitable for their intended use, and shall be provided
with suitable facilities for maintenance i,1 properly charged con-
dition.
5-10215.* Required emergency lighting facilities shall be auto-
matic, not requiring any manual action to put them into operation
after failure of no,'mal lighting.
5-10216. Where maintenance of illumination depends upon chang-
ing from one energy source to another, there shall be no appreciable
interruption of illumination during the change-over except that in
hospitals where emergency lighting is provided by a prime mover
operated electric generator, a delay of not to exceed 10 seconds
may be permitted.
5-1022. Type 1 Emergency Lighting

5-10221. Type 1 emergency lighting shall be so arranged as to
provide the required ilhtmination automatically in the event of
any failure of normal lighting due to ally fault in the main lighting
system, due to ally failure of public utility or other outside electric
power supply, or ally single ,nanual act such as accidental opening
of a switch controlli,lg normal lighting facilities.
5-10222. Type I emcrgency'lighting shall bc either continuously
in operation, or shall bc capable of repeated automatic operation
without manual intervention.
5-10223. Type I emergency lighting, subject to the approval of
the authority having jurisdiction, may be provided by any method
or combination of nlcthods which will produce the desired results,
such as:
a. T w o separate electric lighting systems, with indcpcndcnt wiring,
each adequate alonc to provide the spccificd cxit lighting, one sup-
plied from an outside source such as a public utility scrvicc and the
other from an electric generator on the prcmiscs driven by an inde-
pendent source of power, both sourccs of illumination being in
regular simultaneous operation whenever the building is occupied
during periods of darkness.
590
b. An electric circuit or circuits used only for exit illumination,

with 2 independent electric sources so arranged that on the failure
of one the other will come automatically and immediately into
operation. One such source shall be a connection from a public
utility or similar outside power source and the other an approved
storage battery with suitable provision to keep it automatically
charged. Such battery shall also be so provided with automatic
controls that after the battery comes into operation due to failure
of the primary power source, or due to turning off the primary elec-
tric source for the exit lights, it will be shut off after its specified
period of operation and will be automatically recharged and ready
for further service when the primary current source is again turned
on.
e. Unit devices with individual batteries providing for the same

functions as specified in item b. above, except that the battery sup-
plied light may be operated on a separate circuit at a voltage dif-
ferent from that of the primary light. Dry cell batteries may be
used in unit equipment subject to specific approval by the authority
having jurisdiction (see 5-10214).
d. T w o separate sources of illumination, one electric and the other
of the incandescent gas mantle type, supplied by city gas, propane
or gasoline vapor, utilizing only approved gas lighting devices and
with reliable arrangements acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction to assure that both gas and electric lighting sources will
be in regular continuous operation during occupancy of the build-
ing in periods of darkness. Such gas lighting devices shall be so
installed as not themselves to create a fire or explosion hazard
within the building.

5-10231.* T y p e 2 emergency lighting shall be so arranged as to
provide the required illumination automatically in the event of
any failure of normal lighting due to any fault within the building,
such as opening of a circuit breaker or melting of a fuse due to
short circuit.due to fire or other cause or due to overloading.
5-10232. Type 2 emergency lighting shall be either continuously
in operation or shall be capable of repeated automatic operation
without manual intervention.
5-10233.* T y p e 2 emergency lighting may be provided by any
method or combination of methods that will produce the desired
results, subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction,
such as an arrangement whereby exit lights are on a separate elec-
tric circuit or circuits, used for no purpose other than exit lights
591
EXIT MARKING 101--53
and signs, such circuit or circuits being connected to the electric

service wires ahead of any circuit breakers or fuses controlling the
normal electric supply to the building.

5-10241.* T y p e 3 emergency lighting shall be such as to maintain
the required exit illumination automatiqt~lly in the event of failure
of public utility electric service or othe? outside source of energy.
5-10242. T y p e 3 emergency lighting shall either be continuously
in operation while the building is occupied, or shall come into op-
eration automatically and, where automatic, shall be capable of
repeated operation without manual intervention.
5-10243.* Type 3 emergency lighting may be provided by any
method or combirlation of methods that will produce the desired
results.
S E C T I O N 5-11. E X I T M A R K I N G
5-1111. Signs
5-11111.* Every required exit shall b.e marked by a readily visible
sign. Access to exits shall be marked by readily visible signs in all
eases where the exit or way to reach it is not immediately visible to
the occupants and in any case where required by the applicable
provisions of Chapters 8 through 16 for individual occupancies.
5-11112.* Any door, passage, or stairway which is neither an exit
nor a way of exit access, and which is so located or arranged as to
be likely to be mistaken for an exit, shall be identified by a sign
reading " N O T AN E X I T " or similar designation, or shall be identi-
fied b y a sign indicating its actual character, such as " T O BASE-
M E N T , " " S T O R E R O O M , " " L I N E N C L O S E T " o," the like.
5-11113.* Every required sign designating an exit or way of exit
access shall be so located and of such size, color, and design as to
be readily visible. No decorations, furnishings, or equipment which
impair visibility of an exit sign shall be permitted, nor shall there
be any brightly illuminated sign (for other than exit purposes),
display, or object in or near the line of vision to the required exit
sign of such a character as to so detract attention from the exit
sign that it may not be noticed.
5-11114.* Every exit sign shall be distinctive in color and shall
provide contrast with decorations, interior finish, or other signs.
5-11115. A sign reading " T O E X I T , " " T O S T A I R W A Y " or
similar designation, with an arrow indicating the direction, shall
592
be placed in every location where the direction of travel to reacff the •

nearest exit is not immediately apparent, and near every elevator
or escalator (not so arranged as to qualify as a required exit) where,
in event of fire, persons accustomed to use only the elevator or es-
calator in question would have to use a stairway or other alternate
exit, unless such stairway or alternate exit is near enough so that
the way to reach it is unmistakable.
5-1112. I l l u m i n a t i o n of Signs
5-11121. Every exit sign shall be suitably illuminated by a reliable
light source giving a value of not less than 5 foot-candles on the
illuminated surface. Such illumination shall be continuous as re-
quired under the provisions of Section 5-10, Exit Illumination, and
where emergency lighting facilities are required, exit signs shall be
illuminated from the same source. Artificial lights giving illumina-
tion to exit signs other than the internally illuminated types shall
have screens, discs, or lenses of not less than 25 square inches area
made of translucent material to show red or other specified desig-
nating color on the side of the approach.
5-11122. Each internally illuminated exit sign shall be so designed
as to provide intensity of illumination at least equivalent in visibility
to externally iUuminated signs as specified in 5-11121.
5-11123. Each internally illuminated exit sign shall be provided
in all occupancies where reduction of normal illtunination is per-
mitted, as in motion-picture "~heaters, and may be used in any
occupancy.
5-1113. Size of Signs

5-11131. Every externally illuminated exit sign shall have the
word " E X I T " in plainly legible letters not less than 6 inches high,
with the principal strokes of letters not less than ~ inch wide.
5-11132. Every internally illuminated exit sign shall have the word
" E X I T " in plainly legible letters not less than 4Y2 inches high, and
in Class A places of assembly, not less than 6 inches high.
101-55
CHAPTER 6. F E A T U R E S OF
FIRE yROTECTION
S E C T I O N 6-1. P R O T E C T I O N OF V E R T I C A L O P E N I N G S
- - C O M B U S T I B L E C O N C E A L E D SPACES
6-1111. Every stairway, elevator shaft, light and ventilation shaft,
chute and other opening between stories shall be enclosed or pro-
tected to prevent the slSread of fire or smoke, except as unenclosed
openings are specifically permitted by 6-1112 or by other sections
of this Code by reason of automatic sprinkler protection or other
special features.
6-1112. In any building other than educational or institutional,
with low hazard occupancy, or with ordinary hazard occupancy
with automatic sprinkler protection, where necessary to effective
utilization of building site with sloping grade or otlierwise essential
to the functional design of the building, not to exceed 3 com-
municating floor levels ,nay be permitted without enclosure or pro-
tection between such areas, provided all the following conditions
are met:
a. The arrangement is permitted by the applicable occupancy
section of this Code and by the authority having jurisdiction.
b. The lowest or next to the lowest level is a street floor.
c. The entire area including all communicating floor levels is
sufficiently open and unobstructed so that it may b e assu,ned that
a fire or other dangerous condition in any part will be immediately
obvious to the occupants of all communicating levels aad areas.
d. Exit capacity is sufficient to provide simultaneously for all the
occupants of all com,nunicating levels and areas, all communieati,~g
levels in the same fire area being conside,'ed as a single floor area
for purposes of determination of required exit capacity.
e. Each floor level, considered separately, has at least one-half of
its individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits
leading directly out of that area without traversing another com-
municating floor level or being exposed to the spread of fire or smoke
therefrom.
f. All requirements of this Code with respect to interior finish, pro-
tection of hazards, construction and other features are fully observed,
without waivers.
6-1113. Each floor opening, as specified in 6-1111, shall be en-
closed by substantial walls having fire resistance not less than re-
594
quired for stairways, 6-1114, with approved fire doors or windows

provided in openings therein, all so designed and installed as to
provide a complete barrier to the spread of fire or smoke through
such openings.
6-1114.* The enclosing walls of floor openings serving stairways
or ramps shall be so arranged as to provide a continuous path of
escape, including landings and passageways in accordance with
Section 5-3, providing protection for persons using the stairway
or ramp against fire or smoke therefrom in other parts of the.build-
ing. Such walls shall have fire resistance as follows:
New buildings 4 stories or more in height, 2 hours, noncom-
bustible construction
other new buildings, 1 hour
existing buildings, ~ hour unless a greater resistance is required
by the authority having jurisdiction in consideration of the
hazard of the individual building.
Wired glass in metal frames may be accepted in existing build-
ings and in new buildings to such extent as permitted by other
chapters of this Code.
6-1115.* In a building where enclosure of vertical openings is
required, any openings not serving as required t;xits may be pro-
tected by single fire doors of approlz)riate fire resistance, provided
that when the opening pierces more/than 1 floor, additional doors
may be required by the authority having jurisdiction.
6-12. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ESCALATOR OPENINGS

6-1211. Any escalator serving as a required exit shall be enclosed
in the same manner as exit stairs. An escalator not constituting an
exit shall have its floor opening enclosed or protected as required
for other vertical openings, provided that in lieu of such protection
escalator openings in buildings completely protected by a standard
supervised sprinkler system in accordance with Section 6-4,
escalator openings may be protected by any one of the following
methods as described in 6-1221 through 6-1252.
6-122. Sprinkler-Vent Method

6-1221. Under the conditions specified in 6-1211, escalator open-
ings may be protected by the "sprinkler-vent" method, consisting
of a combination of an automatic fire or smoke detection system,
automatic exhaust system and an automatic water curtain meeting
the following requirements and of a design meeting the approval
of the authority having jurisdiction.
PROTECTION OF VERTICAL OPENINGS
595
101-57
6-1222.* The exhaust system shall be of such capacity as to create

a downdraft, through the moving stairway floor opening, having
~n average velocity of not less than 300 feet per minute under
normal conditions for a period of not less than 30 minutes.
6-1223. Operation of the exhaust system for any floor opening
shall be initiated by an approved device in the story involved and
Ihall be by any one of the following means in addition to a manual
means for operating and testing the system:
a. Thermostats - - either fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, or a
combination of both.
b. Water flow in the sprinkler system.
¢. Approved supervised smoke detection. Smoke detection devices,
if used, shall be so located that the p,'esence of smoke is detected
before it enters the stairway.
6-1224.* Electric power supply to all parts of the exhaust system
and its control devices shall be designed and installed for maxinauna
reliability.
6-1225.* Any fan or duct used in connection with an automatic
exhaust system shall be constructed and installed in a standard
manner.
6-1226. Periodic tests, not less frequently than quarterly, shall be
made of the automatic exhaust system to maintain the system and
the various control devices in good working condition.
6-1227. The water curtain shall be formed by open sprinkle,'s or

spray nozzles so located and spaced as to form a complete and
continuous barrier along all exposed sides of the floor opening and
reaching from the ceiling to the floor. Water" intensity for water
curtain shall be not less than approxi,nately 3 gallons per minute
per lineal foot of water curtain measured horizontally around the
opening.
6-1228. The water curtain shall operate automatically from

thermal responsive elements of fixed temperature type so placed
with respect to the ceiling (floor) opening that the wate," curtain
comes into action upon the advance of heat toward the moving
stairway opening.
6-1229. Every automatic exhaust system, ineludi,~g all motors and

controls and automatic water curtain system, shall be supervised
in an approved manner, similar to that specified for atttomatie
sprinkler system supervision.
596
6-123. Spray Nozzle Method

6-1231. Under the conditions specified in 6-1211, escalator open,
ings may be protected by the spray nozzle method, consisting of a
combination of an automatic fire or smoke detection system and a
system of high velocity water spray nozzles meeting the following
requirements and of a design meeting the approval of the authority
6-1232. Spray nozzles shall be of the open type and shall have a
solid conical spray pattern with discharge angles between 45 and
90 degrees. The number of nozzles, their discharge angles and their
location shall be such that the moving stairway opening between
the top of the wellway housing and the treadway will be com-
pletely filled with dense spray on operation of the system.
6-1233. The number and size of nozzles and water supply shall be
sufficient to deliver a discharge of 2 gallons of water per square foot
per minute through the wellway, area to be figured perpendicular
to treadway.
6-1234. Spray nozzles shall be so located as tO effectively utilize
the full advantage of the cooling and counterdraft effect. They
shall be so positioned that the center line of spray discharge is as
closely as possible in line with the slope of the moving stairway;
not more than an angle of 30 degrees with the top slope of the
wellway housing. Nozzles shall be positioned, also, so that the center
line of discharge is at an angle of not more than 30 degrees from
the vertical sides of the wellway housing.
6-1235.* Spray nozzles shall discharge at a minimum pressure of at
least 25 pounds per square inch. Water supply piping may be taken
from the sprinkler system provided in so doing an adequate supply
of water will be available for the spray nozzles and the water pres-
sure at the sprinkler farthest from the supply riser is not reduced
beyond the required minimum.
6-1236. Control valves shall be readily accessible to minimize

water damage.
6-1237. A noncombustible draft curtain shall be provided extend-

ing at least 20 inches below and around the opening and a soli~
noncombustible wellway housing at least 5 feet long measured
parallel to the handrail, and extending from the top of the hand-
rail enclosure to the soffit of the stairway or ceiling above, at each
moving stairway floor opening. When necessary, spray nozzles
shall be protected against mechanical injury or tampering that
might interfere with proper discharge.
PROTECTION OF VERTICAL OPENINGS
597101-59
6-1238.* The spray nozzle system shall operate automatically from

thermal response elements of the fixed temperature type so placed
with respect to the ceiling (floor) opening that the spray nozzle
~/stem comes into action upon the advance of heat towards the
tnoving stairway opening. Supervised smoke detection located in
or near the moving stairway opening may be used to sound an
alarm. The spray nozzle system shall also be provided with manual
means of operation.
6-1239. Control valves for the spray nozzle system, and approved
s,noke detection or thermostatic devices shall be supervised in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 6-3.
(;-124. Rolling Shutter Method

6-1241.* Under the conditions specified in 6-1211, escalator open-
ings abovc the strcet floor only may bc protcctcd by the rolling
shutter method, consisting of an automatic sclf-closlng rolling
shutter which will completely c,lclosc the top of each moving
stairway, mecting the following requirements, and of a design
meeting the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
6-1242. The shutter shall close off the wellway opening immedi-
ately upon the automatic detection, by an approvcd heat-actu-
ated or smokc-sensitivc device, of fire or smoke in the vicinity of
the moving stairway, and, in addition, there shall bc p,'ovidcd a
manual means of opcrating and testing the opcratlon of the shuttcr.
6-1243. The shutter asscmbly shall bc capable of supporting a
weight of 200 pounds appllcd on any one square foot of arcs, and
shall bc not less ,'csistant to fl,'e or hcat than 24 gagc steel.
6-1244. The shutter shall operate at a spccd of not greater than 30
feet per minute and shall bc cqt,ipl)ed with a sensitive leading
edge. Thc Icading edge shall arrest the progrcss of thc moving
shutter and cause it to retract a distance of apl),'oxirnatcly 6 inchcs
upon the application of a force not in excess of 20 I)ounds applied
on the surface of the leading cdge. The shuttc,', following ,'ct,'actio,h
shall continue to close im,ncdiatcly. *
6-1245. Atlto,natic rolling shuttc,-s shall be provided with an elec-
tric contact which will disconnect the power supply f,'o~,~ the
escalator and apply the brakes as soon as the shutte," starts to
close, and will prevent fL,rthcr operation of the escalator u,~til the
escalator is again iq the open position.
6-1246 * The electrical supply to the control devices for actuation
of the automatic rolling shutter shall be so designed and installed
as to provide maximum reliability.
598 "
6-1247. Rolling shutters shall be operated at least once a week i~

order to make sure that they remain in proper operating condition.
6-125. Partial Enclosure Method

6-1251. Under the conditions specified in 6-1211, escalator open°
ings may be protected by a partial enclosure, or so-called kiosk, so
designed as to provide an effective barrier to the spread of smoke
from floor to floor.
6-1252. Partial enclosures shall be of construction providing fire

resistance equivalent to that specified for stairway enclosures in
the same building, with openings therein protected by approved
serf-closing fire doors or may be of approved wired glass and metal
frame construction with wired glass panel doors. Such doors may
be equipped with electric opening mechanism to open the door auto-
matically upon the approach of a person, provided, however, that
the mechanism shall be such as to return the door to its closed po-
sition upon any interruption of electric current supply, and provided
further that the adjustment is such that the pressure of smoke will
not cause opening of the door.
6-13. FIRESTOPPING-- CONCEALED SPACES

6-1311. In new construction, any concealed space in which ma-
terials having a flame-spread rating greater than Class A (as
defined in Section 6-2) are exposed shall be effectively firestopped
as provided below, with approved materials, unless the space is
sprinklered in accordance with Section 6-4.
a Every exterior and interior wall and partition shall be fire-
stopped at each floor level, at the top story ceiling level, and at the
level of support for roofs.
b. Every unoccupied attic space shall be subdivided by firestops
into areas not to exceed 3,000 square feet.
c.* Any concealed space between the ceiling and the floor or roof
above shall be firestopped for the full depth of the space along the
line of support for the floor or roof structural members and, if neces-
sary, at other locations to form areas not to exceed 1,000 square
feet for any space between the ceiling and floor and 3,000 square feet
for any space between the ceiling and roof.
6-1312. In every existing building, firestopping shall be provided

as required by the provisions of Chapters 8 through 16.
INTERIOR FINISH
599
101--61
S E C T I O N 6-2. I N T E R I O R F I N I S H
6-2111. Interior finish shall include the material of walls, partition
of fixed or movable type, ceilings and other exposed interior sur-
rices of buildings, comprising both the plaster, wood or other
Interior finish material and any surfacing material such as paint
or wallpaper applied thereto. Interior finish includes materials
affLxed to the building structure as distinguished f,'om decorations
or furnishings which are not so affixed.
6-2112. A finish floor or floor covering shall be exempt from the

requirements of this section provided, however, that in any case
where the authority having jurisdiction finds a floor surface of
unusual hazard the floor surface shall be considered a part of the
interior finish for the purposes of this Code.
6-2113. The classification of interior finish materials specified in

6-2114 shall be that of the basic material used, without regard to
subsequently applied paint or wallpaper, except that the authority
having jurisdiction shall include such finishes in the deternlination
of classification i n ' a n y case where in the opinion'of the authority
having jurisdiction they are of such character or thickness or so ap-
plied as to affect materially the flame spread characteristics.
6-2114. Interior finish materials shall be grouped in the following;

classes, in accordance with their flame spread and related char-
acteristies:
Class A Interior Finish. Flame Spread 0-25
Includes any material classified at 25 or less on the test scale
described in 6-2115; and any element thereof when so tested
shall not continue to propagate fire.
Class B Interior Finish. Flame Spread 25-75
Includes any material classified at more than 25 bt, t not
more than 75 on the test scale described in 6-2115.
Class C.lnterior Finish. Flame Spread 75-200
Includes any material classified at more than 75 but ,sot
more than 200 on the test scale described in 6-2115.
Class D Interior Finish. Flame Spread 200-500
Includes a,ay material classified at rnore than 200 but ,~ot
more than 500 on the test scale described i,a 6-2115.
Class E Interior Finish. Flame Spread over 500
Includes any material classified at over 500 on the test scale
described in 6-2115.
600 "
6-2115. Interior finish materials as specified in 6-2114 shall be

classified in accordance with the Method of Test of Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials (see Appendix B for list of
Standards).
6-2116. Notwithstanding the flame spread classification of 6-2114
and 6-2115, any material shown by test to have a life hazard greater
than that indicated by the flame spread classification owing to
amount or character of smoke generated, shall he included in the
group appropriate to its actual hazard as determined by the au-
thority having jurisdiction.
6-2117. Classification of interior finish materials shall be in accord-
ance with tests made under conditions simulating actual installa-
tions, provided that the authority having jurisdiction may by rule
establish the classification of any material on which a rating by
standard test is not available.
6-212. Fire Retardant Paints

6-2121. In existing buildings the required flame spread classifica-
tion of interior surfaces may be secured by applying approved
fire retardant paints or solutions to existing interior surfaces having
a higher flame spread rating than permitted.
6-2122. Fire retardant paints or solutions shall be renewed at
such intervals as necessary to maintain the necessary fire retardant
properties.
6-213. Automatic Sprinklers

6-2131. Where a complete standard system of automatic sprinklers
is installed, interior finish with flame spread rating not over Class C
may be used in any location where Class B is normally specified,
and with rating of Class B in any location where Class A is normally
specified, unless specifically prohibited elsewhere in this Code,
6-214. Trim and Other Incidental Finish

6-2141. Interior finish not in excess of 10 percent of the aggregate
wall and ceiling areas of any room or space may be Class C ma-
terials in occupancies where interior finish of lower flame spread
rating is required.
6-215. Use of Interior Finishes

6-2151.* Interior finish material shall be used in accordance with
601
ALARM DETECTION SYSTEMS 101--63
requirements for individual classes of occupancy specified else-

where in the Code. Wherever the use of any class of interior finish
is specified, the use of a class of lower flame spread rating shall be
permitted; e.g., where Class B is specified, Class A may be used.
6-2152. In all new buildings other than private residences Class A
or Class B interior finish shall be used in all basements or other
underground spaces from which there is no direct exit to the out-
side of the building if subject to occupancy for any purpose other
than storage or service facilities.
6-2153. Interior finish of Class E shall not be used in any room or
space subject to human occupancy, except to such extent as may
be specifically permitted by the authority having jurisdiction on
the basis of a findi,ag that such use does not significantly increase the
life hazard, provided, however, that such use of Class E interior
finish shall not in any case exceed 10 percent of the aggregate in-
terior surface of the walls and ceiling of the room or space in which
such Class E material is located.
S E C T I O N 6-3. A L A R M AND F I R E D E T F . C T I O N SYSTEMS

6-31. A L A R M SYSTEMS
6-3111. Manually operated fire alarm equipment shall be provided
wherever specified by the applicable provisions of Chapters 8
through 16.
6-3112. Where a building is divided by fire walls into separate
fire sections with adequate safeguards against the spread of fire
from one section to another, each section ,nay be considered a
separate building for the purposes of application of fire alarm
system requirements based on size of building o," populatio,1.
6-3113.* Every alarm systern and its eqttiptne,'tt shall be of a
standard approved type suitable for the ptlrposc for which installed.
6-3114.* Every alarm system shall be under the supervision of a
responsible person who shall cause proper tests to be tnade at speci-
fied intervals and have general charge of all alterations and ad-
ditions.
6-3115. Each system shall be tested at not less than weekly in-
tervals, except as otherwise specified by the applicable provisions
of Chapters 8 through 17.
6-3116. Fire alarm signaling equipment shall be restored to serv-
ice as promptly as possible after each test or alarm, and shall be
kept in normal condition for operation. Equipment requiring re-
602
winding or replenishing shall be rewound or replenished as promptly

as possible after each test or alarm.
6-3117.* Each manually operated sending station and alarm
sounding device in a single system shall be of the same general type.
6-312. Alarm Sending Stations

6-3121. A manually operated sending station shall be provided
near each main exit and in the natural path of escape from fire, at
readily accessible and visible points which are not likely to be ob-
structed.
6-3122.* Each sending station shall be so located that from any
part of the building not more than 200 feet will have to be traversed
in order to reach a sending station on the same floor, or 100 feet
and 1 flight of stairs to reach a sending station upon another floor
located in the natural path of escape from fire.
6-3123. T h e arrangement of sending stations, and the manner of
their connection with sounding devices shall be such that there
will be no difference between the sounding of actual alarms and
drill signals.
6-3131 Sounding Devices

6-3131. A required sounding device shall be used for fire alarm pur-
poses only.
6-3132.* Alarm sounding devices shall be provided of such char-
acter and so distributed as to be effectively heard in every room
above all other sounds. Visible alarm devices may be used in lieu
of audible devices only where specifically permitted by Chapter 10
for institutional occupancies and by Chapter 8 for places of as-
sembly.
6-3133. Every alarm sounding device shall be distinctive in pitch
and quality from all other sounding devices.
6-3134.* A code signal indicating where the alarm originates shall
not be used except to such extent as permitted by the applicable
provisions of Chapters 8 through 16, or as specifically authorized
by the authority having jurisdiction.
6-3135. Each system shall be so arranged that no manual inter-
vention will be required, following the actuation of a sending sta-
tion, for causing effective response of all required sounding devices.
No facilities shall be provided whereby such response can be con-
r
603
ALARM DETECTION SYSTEMS 101-65
trolled or modified except where otherwise specifically permitted

by the applicable provisions of Chapters 8 through 16.
6-32. A U T O M A T I C FIRE D E T E C T I O N
6-3211.* An automatic fire detection system, where installed to
meet specific requirements of Chapters 8 through 16, shall be of
standard approved type, and shall be so installed as to provide ef-
fective warning of incipient fire in any part of the premises.
6-3212. Any automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 6-4 and provided with water-flow alarm signals
ftdfills the functions of automatic fire detection (iq addition to its
primary function of fire extinguishment) and ,nay be used in lieu
of an automatic fire detection system.
6-3213. A connection may be made between a required mant,ally
operated alarm syste,n and atttomatic fire detection system or auto-
matic sprinkler system, provided that the effectiveness and de-
pendability of operation of the alarms from ,nanual sending sta-
tions is not thereby impairod.
6-322. Incidental Functions

6-3221. A manually or automatically operated fire alarm system
may be arranged for the accomplishment of incidental functions
such as the release of self-opening or self-ciosi,~g doors, cutting
off supplies of gas, fuel oil, or electric power, switching oq emer-
gency lights, the stoppiag of air svpply ventilating fans, and the
like, in so fa," as the accomplishment of such incidental functions
does not in any way impair the effectiveness or reliability of the
required soundiqg devices in rcsponsc to the required seqding
stations.
6-33. M U N I C I P A L FIRE D E P A R T M E N T NOTIFICATION

6-3311.* Arrangements shall be made for the prompt notification
of the public fire department or such other outside assistance as
may be available in case of fire or other emergency.
6-3312. Automatic fire department connections shall be so ar-
ranged as to permit drills to be conducted by those in authority
without calling out the fire department, and so that the actuation
of any required alarm sending station will surely call such de-
partment.
604
S E C T I O N 6--4. A U T O M A T I C S P R I N K L E R S AND
OTHER EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT
6-4111.* Each automatic sprinkler system shall be of a standard
approved type, so installed and maintained as to provide complete
coverage for all portions of the premises protected, except in so far
as partial protection is specified by the requirements of this Code.
6-4112.* Every automatic sprinkler system shall be provided with
a water-flow alarm device to give warning of the operation of the
sprinklers due to fire, and where such alarm facilities meet the pro-
visions of Section 6-3 for Automatic Fire Detection may be used
in lieu of automatic fire detection facilities required in this Code.
6-4113.* Where automatic sprinkler protection is provided other
requirements of this Code may be modified to such extent as per-
mitted by the provisions of this Code.
6-412. Water Supplies

6-4121.* Each automatic sprinkler system required by this Code
shall be provided with adequate and reliable water supplies subject
to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction. At least one
source of supply shall be provided under continuous and auto-
matic pressure such as from a public water system, a gravity tank
or a pressure tank; supplementary sources may be provided where
necessary in the interest of greater reliability or adequate volume.
6-413. M a i n t e n a n c e a n d Supervision
6-4131.* Each automatic sprinkler system required by this Code
shall be continuously maintained in reliable operating condition
at all times, and such periodic inspections and tests shall be made
as are necessary to assure proper maintenance.
6-4132.* Where supervised automatic sprinkler protection is
specified in this Code the automatic sprinkler system shall be pro-
vided with approved facilities to assure that it is in proper oper-
ative condition, such as by electrical connections to a continu-
ously manned central station or fire department headquarters to
give automatic notice of any closed water supply valve or other
condition that might interfere with the operation of the system;
also notice of any flow of water in the system due to fire or other
cause. Such facilities shall include provision for immediate alarm
to the fire department in case of fire or suspected fire, and appro-
priate immediate action to restore the sprinkler system to op-
erative condition in case of any derangement.
PROTECTION OF HAZARDS
605
101-67
6-42. OTHER EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT

6-421. Automatic
6-4211.* In any occupancy where the character of the potential
fuel for fire is such that extinguishment or control of fire may be more
effectively accomplished by a type of automatic extinguishing sys-
tem other than an automatic sprinkler system such as carbon
dioxide, dry chemical, foam, or water spray, a standard extinguish-
ing system of other type may be installed in lieu of an .automatic
sprinkler system subject to the approval of the authority having
jurisdiction.
6-422. Manual
6-4221.* Any fire extinguisher, where provided, shall be of an ap-
proved type.
6-4222.* Each standpipe and hose syste,n, where provided, shall
be of an approved type.
S E C T I O N 6-5. S E G R E G A T I O N AND P R O T E C T I O N
O F HAZARDS
6-5111. Any operation or storage having a degree of hazard greater
than that normal to the general occupancy of the building or
structure under consideration shall be enclosed with construction
having at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating, or provided with
automatic fire protection, or both as specified in Chapters 8 through
16. Where a hazard is severe both the fire-rated construction and
automatic fire protection shall be used.
6-5112. Except where otherwise required by the provisions of
Chapters 8 through 16, all construction enclosing hazardous op-
erations or storage shall have not less than 1-hour fire resistance,
and all openings bctwccn the balance of the building and rooms
or enclosures for hazardous opcrations or proccsscs shall bc protcctcd
with self-closing or automatic fire doors.
6-5113. Where hazardous proccsscs or storage arc of such a char-
acter as to involve an cxplosion hazard, cxplosion vcnting to out-
side thc building shall bc provided by thin glass windows or other
approved vents.
6-5114. Where automatic protection is required, such protection
shall bc by automatic sprinklers in accordance with Section 6-4,
or other approved cxtinguishing system appropriatc to cxtinguish
fires in the hazardous materials stored or handled.
606
101-68 LIFE SAFETY C O D E
6-5115. In an existing building, to such extent as permitted by

the applicable provisions of Chapters 8 through 16, an automatic fire
detection system in accordance with Section 6-3 may be substituted
for an automatic sprinkler system, provided, however, that where
automatic fire detection is used, the hazardous operations or storage
shall be segregated by walls, floors, and ceilings of solid construction,
with serf-closing doors on all openings between hazardous areas
and the balance of the building.
6-5116. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any hazardous
operation or process may be conducted in a detached structure
sufficiently remote from the main building to avoid any danger to
occupants, without protection except as may be necessary for the
safety of any occupants of the detached structure.
S E C T I O N 6-6. F I R E D O O R S AND S M O K E S T O P D O O R S
6-6111.* Smokestop doors, where installed to meet the require-

ments of this Code, shall be of metal, metal covered or approved
treated wood construction, with clear wired glass panels, except
that in buildings not over 2 stories in height and not required by
other sections of this Code to be of fire-resistive construction,
smokestop doors may be of ordinary solid bonded core wood type
not less than 1 ~ inches thick with clear wired glass panels. Such
doors shall be self-closing, and shall be either single or in pairs.
They shall close the opening completely with only such clearance
as is reasonably necessary for proper operation.
6-6112.* Any fire door, installed in accordance with the require-
ments of this Code shall be of an approved type. The fire protection
rating of any fire door shall be as measured in accordance with
the appropriate standard listed in Appendix B. Each fire door
shall be appropriate for the location in which it is installed.
6-6113. Any swinging fire door and any door in stair enclosure
walls designed to prevent the spread of firc shall bc provided with
approved positive latching mcans to hold it in the closcd position
against the pressure of expanding fire gascs. Such latching means
shall not be required for smokcstop doors or for any other doors
not designed to prevent the sprcad of firc.
607
101-69
CHAPTER 7. BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

7-1111. No air conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking, or other
service equipment shall be so installed or operated as" to endanger
ways of exit, spread fire or smoke through buildings, or other-
wise create an abnormal hazard to occupants such as to endanger
their safety before they have opportunity to utilize available exit
facilities. See Appendix B for a list of applicable standards on the
installation of building service equipment.
7-112. Air Conditioning and Ventilating

7-1121. Every air conditioning and ventilating system shall be so
installed and maintained as to minimize the danger of spread of
fire or smoke thereby from one floor or fire area to another, or from
outside into any occupied I~uilding or structure.
7-1122. Each air conditioning and ventilating systctn circulating
air to more than one floor or fire area shall be p,'ovided with
dampers designed to close automatically in case of fire and thereby
prevent spread of fire or srnoke, and shall also be provided with
automatic controls to stop fans in case of fire, unless arranged to
remove smoke from a fire in which case they shall be designed to
remain in operation.
7-1123. Any air conditioning system serving a Class A place of
assembly, Class A department store, or hotel with over 500 rooms
shall be provided with effective means for prcvcnting circulation of
smoke through the system in case of fire in air filters or from other
sources drawn into the system even though there is not sufficient
heat to actuate heat sensitive devices controlling fans or dampers.
Such means shall consist of an approved photo-electric or other
smoke sensitive control, or (subject to the app,'oval of the attthority
having jurisdiction) may be manually operated controls in cases
where qualified personnel responsible for operation of controls is
continuously on duty while the premises are occupied.
7-113. Smoke Venting

7-1131. Smoke venting facilities where required for safe use of
exits in windowless buildings, underground structures, la,'ge area
factories shall be automatic in operation.
7-1132. Natural draft smoke venting shall utilize roof vents or
vents in walls at or near the ceiling level, such vents to be normally
608
101-70 LIfE SAFETY CODE
open or if closed shall be designed for automatic opening by ap-

proved means in case of fire.
7-1133. Where smoke venting facilities are installed for purposes
of exit safety in accordance with the requirements of this Code
they shall be adequate to prevent dangerous accumulations of
smoke during the period of time necessary to evacuate the area
served, using available exit facilities with a margin of safety to
allow for unforeseen contingencies.
7-1134. The discharge apertures of all natural draft smoke vents
shall be so arranged as to be readily susceptible to opening by fire
departments working from the exterior.
7-1135. A power-operated smoke exhausting system may be sub-
stituted for required natural draft vents only by specific permission
of the authority having jurisdiction.
7-114. Heating and Cooking Equipment

7-1141. No portable or open flame heating or cooking equipment
shall be located in exits, in ways of approach thereto or in any
other location potentially endangering the safe use of exits.
7-115. High Pressure Equipment

7-1151. No high pressure boiler, air compressor or other high
pressure equipment shall be located under main exits.
7-116. F l a m m a b l e Liquids, Gases, Chemicals, Explosives

7-1161. No flammable liquid, compressed gas, hazardous chemical
or explosive material shall be stored or used in such a manner as
to endanger the safety of exits.
7-117. R u b b i s h Chutes, Linen Chutes, and F l u e - F e d In-

cinerators
7-1171. Every chute and incinerator flue which ,night serve to
spread fire shall be enclosed in accordance with 6-1111, and the
openings therein shall be protected in accordance with 6-1113. No
such chutes or incinerator flues shall, in new construction, open
directly on any exit, or corridor to an exit, but shall be in a separate
room or closet separated from the exit (or from the corridor) by an
approved self-closing fire door, except that this requirement shall
not apply to private dwellings and that in apartment houses, auto-
matic sprinkler protection may be provided in lieu of the self-
closing fire door.
609
BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT 101-71
7-1172. Every incinerator flue, rubbish chute, and linen or laundry

chute shall be of a standard type properly designed and main-
tained for fire safety.
7-1173. In new construction, any chute other than an incinerator
chute shall be provided with automatic sprinkler protection.
7-118. Automatic Elevators

7-1181. In any building where all the elevators have automatic
operation, unless exempt by the provisions of Chapters 8 through
16, one elevator or more than one elevator, if necessary to provide
access to all landings, shall be arranged for use by firemen as follows:
a. A key-operated switch with light jewel shall bc provided ad-
jacent to the elevator at the street floor landing and may be pro-
vided at other landings subject to the discretion of the authority
having jurisdiction. The key-operated switch shall remove the
elevator from normal service and place it on firemen's service.
b. The key-operated switch shall, when operated, cancel existing
ear calls, prevent registration of further car calls, prevent the open-
ing of the elevator doors except at the landing at which the switch
is located and cause the car to travel to that landing bypassing other
landing calls. The light jewel shall be illuminated when the car is
returning to the fircmen's landing in response to the operation of the
key-operated switch.
c. When the car arrives at the firemen's landing, the doors shall
open and remain open until closed by the operation of the elevator
from the car.
d. A key-operated switch shall be provided in the car which can
be operated only by the key which operates the fire,nen's landing
switch and which, when operated, shall permit operation of the
elevator only from the car-operating buttons and cause the elevator
to bypass landing calls.
610
101-72
C H A P T E R 8. P L A C E S OF A S S E M B L Y
(See also Chapter 17)
S E C T I O N 8-1. G E N E R A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S
8-11. L O C A T I O N , O C C U P A N C Y , AND O C C U P A N T L O A D
8-111. Location of Places of Assembly
8-1111. In a fire-resistive building a place of assembly may be
located at any height except any Glass A or Class B place of as-
sembly below grade shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers
in-accordance with Section 6-4.
t
8-1112. In a nonfire-resistive building a place of assembly shall be

so located that its principal floor will not be more than 28 feet or
2 stories above grade and those below grade shall have automatic
sprinkler protection as indicated hereinbefore.
8-1113. Grade shall be measured at the point of principal entrance
to the building.
8-1114. Where the principal entrance to a place of assembly is
via a terrace with an area at least 10 percent of the ground area
of the building, the level of the terrace shall be considered grade
level for the purpose of 8-1111 and 8-1112 above.
8-112. Special Provisions for Places of Assembly in Buildings

of Other Occupancy
8-1121.* Any place of assembly and its access to exits in buildings
of other occupancy, such as ballrooms in hotels, restaurants in
stores, assembly rooms in schools shall be so located, separated, or
protected as to avoid any undue danger to the occupants of the place
of assembly from a fire originating in the other occupancy, or smoke
therefrom.
8-113. Occupancy and Occupant Load

8-1131. Definition of Places of Assembly. A place of assembly shall
include all buildings or portions of buildings used for gathering to-
gether of 50 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation,
worship, entertainment, amusement, or awaiting transportation.
Occupancy ~f any room or space for assembly purposes by less
than 100 persons in a building of other occupancy and incidental
611
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY 101-73
to such other occupancy shall be classed as part of the other oc-

cupancy and subject to the provisions applicable thereto.
8-1132. Classification of Places of Assembly. Each place of assembly

shall be classified according to its capacity, as follows: Class A,
capacity 1,000 persons or more; Class B, capacity 300 to 1,000
persons; Class C, capacity 50 to 300 persons.
8-1133. Capacity or Occupant Load. The capacity or occupant load

permitted in any assembly building, structure, or portion thereof
shall be determined by dividing the net floor area or space assigned
to that use by the square feet per occupant as follows:
a. An assembly area of concentrated use without fixed seats such
as an auditorium, church, chapel, dance floor, and lodge room I
7 square feet per person.
b. An assembly area of less concentrated use such as a conference
room, dining room, drinking establishment, exhibit room, gymna-
sium, or lounge - - 15 square feet per person.
c. Standing room or waiting space I 3 square feet per person.
8-1134. The occupant load of an area having fixed seats shall be
determined by the number of fixed seats installed. Required aisle
space serving the fixed seats shall not be used to increase the oc-
cupant load.
8-1135. The capacity or occupant load permitted in a building or

portion thereof may be increased above that specified in 8-1133
if the necessary aisles and exits are provided subject to the approval
of the authority having jurisdiction. An approved aisle, exit, a n d / o r
seating diagram may be required by the authority having juris-
diction to substantiate an increase in occupant load.
8-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
8-121. Capacity of Exits
8-1211.* Every place of assembly, every tier or balcony, and every
individual room used as a place of assembly shall have exits sufficient
to provide for the total capacity thereof as determined in accordance
with 8-I133 and as follows:
a. No individual unit of exit width shall scrve more than 100
persons.
b. Doors leading outside the building at grade level, or not more
than 3 risers above or below grade, or Class A ramps or horizontal
612
exits: 100 persons per exit unit adjusted according to location of

exits as required in 8-123.
c. Stairs or other type of exit not specified in b. above: 75 persons
per exit unit.
8-122. M i n i m u m N u m b e r of Exits
8-1221. Every Class A place of assembly (capacity 1,000 persons
or more) shall have at least 4 separate exits as remote from each
other as practicable.
8-1222. Every Class B place of assembly (capacity 300 to 1,000
persons) shall have at least 2 separate exits as remote from each other
as practicable, and if of a capacity of over 600, at least 3, each exit
not less than 2 units.
8-1223.* Every Class C place of assembly (capacity 50 to 300 per-
sons) shall have at least 2 means of exit, consisting of separate exits
or doors leading to a corridor or other spaces giving access to 2
separate and independent exits in different directions.
8-123. Location of Exits

8-1231. Main Exit. Every assembly occupancy shall be provided
with a main exit. The main exit shall be of sufficient width to ac-
commodate one-half of the total occupant load, but shall be not
less than the total required width of all aisles, exit passageways and
stairways leading thereto, and shall connect to a stairway or ramp
leading to a street.
8-1232. Other Exits. Each level of an assembly occupancy shall
have access to the main exit and in addition shall be provided with
exits of sufficient width to accommodate two-thirds of the total oc-
cupant load served by that level. Such exits sh~ll open directly to
a street or into an exit court, enclosed stairway, outside stairway, or
exit passageway leading to a street. Such exits shall be located as
far apart as practicable and as far from the main exit as practicable.
Such exits shall be accessible from a cross aisle or a side aisle.
8-124. Travel Distance to Exits

8-1241. Exits shall be so arranged that the total length of travel
from any point to reach an exit will not exceed 150 feet in any place
of assembly for unsprinklered spaces and 200 feet in areas pro-
tected by automatic sprinklers.
. 613
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY 101-75
8-125.* Types of Exits

8-1251. Exits of the specified number and width shall be of one
or more of the following types, in accordance with the provisions
of Chapter 5 of t~is Code:
Doors of the \'sv~dnging type leading directly outside or through
a lobby or passageway leading to the outside of the building
Horizontal exits (see Section 5-5)
Smokeproof towers (see Scction 5-3)
Stairs, Class A for all ncw places of asscmbly (scc Scction 5-3)
Outside stairs. Same rcquircmcnts as for stairs, including intcr-
mediatc handrails on monumcntal stairs serving main entrance
doors (see Scction 5-4)
Ramps, Class A for all new Class A placcs of asscmbly; Class B
for Class B and Class C placcs of assembly (scc Scction 5-6)
Escalators (see Scction 5-8)
8-1252. Turnstiles. No turnstiles or other devices to restrict the
movement of persons shall be installed in any place of assembly in
such a manner as to interfere in any way with required exit facilities.
(See Chapter 5 for further requirements for turnstiles.)
8-126. Panic H a r d w a r e
8-1261. An exit door fi'om an assembly occupancy having an oc-
cupant load of more than 100 shall not be provided with a latch
or lock u,dess it is panic hardware.
8-127. Seating, Aisles, and Railings

8-1271. Seating
a. The spacing of rows of scats from back to back shall be not
less than 33 inclles, nor less titan 27 incl~cs plus tile suln of tl~c
thickness of the back and inclination of the back. Thcrc shall be a
space of not less than 12 inches between the back of one scat and
the front of the seat immediately behind it as measured between
plumb lines.
b. (1.) Rows of seats between aisles si~ali have not morc than 14 scats.
(2.) Rows of scats opening on to an aisle at onc end only shall
have not more than 7 scats.
(3.) Seats without dividing arms sl~all have their capacity de-
termined by allowing 18 inches pcr person.
c. Continental Seating
(1.) With Continental seating, the spacing of rows of unoccupied
614
seats shall provide a clear width between rows measured hori-

zontally as follows (automatic or self-rising seats shall be measured
in the seat-up position, other seats shall be measured in the seat-
down position) :
18 inches clear width between rows of 18 seats or less; 20 inches
clear width between rows of 35 seats or less; 21 inches clear width be-
tween rows of 45 seats or less; 22 inches clear width between rows
of 46 seats or more.
(20 W i t h Continental seating, the n u m b e r of intervening seats
between any seat and an aisle m a y be increased to 49 where exit
doors are provided along each side aisle of the row of seats at the
rate of I pair of exit doors for each 5 rows of seats. Such exit doors
shall provide a m i n i m u m clear width of 66 inches.
8 - 1 2 7 2 . Aisles. Every portion of any assembly building which

contains seats, tables, displays, equipment, or other materials shall
be provided with aisles leading to exits as follows:
a. Aisles shall be not less than 3 feet wide except that when serving
60 seats or less aisles m a y be not less than 30 inches in width.
b. Aisles shall terminate in a cross aisle, foyer, or exit. T h e width
of such cross aisle, foyer, or exit shall be not less than the sum of the
required width of the widest aisle plus 50 percent of the total re-
quired width of the remaining aisles leading thereto.
¢. Every aisle shall be not less than 3 feet wide if serving seats on
one side only, and not less than 3 feet 6 inches wide if serving
seats on both sides. Such m i n i m u m width shall be measured at
the point farthest from an exit, cross aisle, or foyer and shall be
increased in width by 1 ½ inches for each 5 feet in length toward the
exit, cross aisle, or foycr.
d. No dead-end aisle shall be greater than 20 feet in length.
e. T h e length of travel to an exit door by any aisle shall be not
greater than 150 feet.
f. With Continental seating as set forth in 8-1271c(1), side aisles
shall be not less than 44 inches in width.
g. Steps shall not be placed in aisles to overcome differences in
level unless the gradient exceeds 1 foot of rise in 8 feet of run. Steps
in aisles shall conform to the requirements for Class A stairs as to
rise and tread except that in balconies or galleries the rise and
tread m a y conform with Class B stairs.
h. T h e gradient of sloping aisles shall not exceed 1 foot of rise in
8 feet of run.
/
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
615
101--77
8-1273. Railings
a. The fasciae of boxes, balconies, and galleries shall have sub-
stantial railings not less than 26.inches high above the floor.
b. T h e railings at the ends of aisles extending to the fascia shall be
not less than 30 inches high for the width of the aisle, or 36 inches
high if at foot of steps.
c. Cross aisles, except where the backs of seats on the front of the
aisle project 24 inches or more above the floor of the aisle, shall be
provided with railings not less than 26 inches high.
8-128. Lighting and Signs

8-1281. All places of assembly shall have exit lighting in ac-
cordance with Section 5-10 and signs in accordance with Section
5-11. All Class A places of assembly (1,000 or more) shall be pro-
vided with T y p e 1 emergency exit illumination; Class B places of
assembly, Types 1, 2, or 3 emergency exit illumination, provided
that churches of Class B or Class C, used exclusively for religious
worship, shall not be required to have emergency lighting.
8-131. Waiting Spaces

8-1311. In theaters and similar places of public assembly where
persons are admitted to the building at times when seats arc not
available for thcm and are allowed to wait in a lobby or similar
space until seats arc available, such use of lobby or similar spacc
shall not encroach upon thc rcquired clear width of exits. Such
waiting shall bc restricted to areas othcr than thc required means
of egress. Exits shall bc provided for such waiting spaccs on thc
basis of one person for cach 3 square fcct of waiting spacc area.
Such exits shall be in addition to thc cxits spccificd for the main
auditorium arca and shall conform in construction and arrange-
ment to the gcneral rules for cxits given in this Chapter.
8-141. Exits Common to Other Occupancies

8-1411. Places of assembly in buildings of other occupancy may
use exits common to the place of assembly and the other occupancy
provided that the assembly area and the other occupancy considered
separately each have exits sufficient to mcet the requirements of
this Code.
8-1412.* Exits shall b~ sufficient for simultaneous occupancy of
both the place of assembly and other parts of the building, unless
the authority having jurisdiction determines that the conditions are
616
such that simultaneous occupancy will not occur, such as in certain

schools as per Chapter 9.
8-151. Stage and Enclosed Platform

9-1511. Definitions
a. Platform, Enclosed, is a partially enclosed portion of an assembly
room the ceiling of which is not more than 5 feet above the pro-
scenium opening and which is designed or used for the presentation
of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery,
drops, decorations, or other effects may be installed or used.
b. Stage is a partially enclosed portion of an assembly building
which is designed or used for the presentation of plays, demon-
strations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops, or other
effects may be installed or used, and where the distance between
the top of the proscenium opening and the ceiling above the stage
is more than 5 feet.
8-1512. Every stage equipped with fly galleries, gridirons, and
rigging for movable theater-type scenery, and every enclosed plat-
form larger than 500 square feet in area shall have a system of auto-
matic sprinklers at the ceiling, under the gridiron, in usable spaces
under the stage or platform and in auxiliary spaces and dressing
rooms, storerooms, and workshops. Where the distance from the
back of the stage to the proscenium wall is less than 30 feet, in lieu
of sprinklers under the entire gridiron area, complete peripheral
sidewall sprinklers with baffle plates may be substituted. Such
sidewall sprinklers shall be not more than 30 inches below the
gridiron or 6 inches below the baffle plates.
8-1513. Every stage and every enclosed platform larger than 500
square feet shall have a ventilator or ventilators in or above it,
operable from the stage floor by hand and also opening by fusible
links or other approved automatic heat actuated device, or heat
and smoke actuated device, to give a free opening equal to at least
5 percent of the area of the floor of the stage or enclosed platform.
8-1514. The proscenium opening of every stage shall be provided
with a fire resistant curtain constructed and mounted so as to inter-
cept hot gases, flames, and smoke, and to prevent glow from a severe
fire on the stage showing on the auditorium side within a 5-minute
period. T h e curtain shall be automatic closing without the use of
applied power.
8-1515. Where automatic sprinkler protection is not provided the
proscenium wall of every theater using movable scenery or decora-
tions shall have, exclusive of the proscenium opening, not more
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
617
101-79
than 2 openings entering'the stage, each not to exceed 21 square

feet and fitted with self-closing fire doors.
8-1516. Each stage shall be equipped with a 2 ~ - i n c h standpipe
and hose on each side of the stage, installed in accordance with the
appropriate Standard listed in Appendix B.
8-161. Projection Booth

8-1611.* Every place of assembly in which projections of motion
pictures by light from film in excess of Ta inch in width are made
shall have the projection apparatus enclosed in a standard fire-
resistive fixed booth.
8-17. P R O T E C T I O N
8-171. Protection of Exits a n d Vertical O p e n i n g s
8-1711.* All interior stairways and other vertical openings shall
be enclosed and protected as provided in Section 6-1 except that
stairs may be open between balconies and main assembly floors in
theaters, churches, or auditoriums.
8-172. Interior Finish

8-1721. The interior finish requirements of this section shall be
in accordance with Section 6-2 of this Code and Subject to modi-
fications specified therein.
8-1722. Interior finish in all means of egress in all places of as-
sembly shall be Class A.
8-1723. Interior finish in general assembly areas shall be as
follows:
In Class A and Class B places of assembly: Class A or Class B
interior finish.
In all Class C places of assembly, and in individual rooms of less
than 200 capacity in any place of assembly: Class A, B, or C in-
terior finish.
*In any place of assembly, exposed portions of structural members
complying with the requirements for heavy ti,nber construction
may be permitted.
8-173. Hazardous Areas

8-1731. Strvice Equipment and Storage Facilities
a. Rooms containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery
618
of other than domestic refrigerator type, large transformers or other

service equipment subject to possible explosion shall not be located
directly under or adjacent to required exits. All such rooms shall
be effectively cut off from other parts "of the building by not less
than a 1-hour fire-resistive separation. All openings between the
balance of the building and rooms or enclosures for hazardous op-
erations or processes shall be protected by standard self-closing or
automatic fire doors and shall be provided with adequate vents to
the outer air, in accordance with Section 6-5 of this Code.
b.* All rooms or areas used for storage of any combustible ma-
terials or equipment, or for painting, refinishing, repair, or similar
purposes shall be effectively cut off from assembly areas in ac-
cordance with Section 6-5 or protected with a system of automatic
sprinklers. Where the hazard is severe, both the separation required
in Section 6-5 and automatic sprinklers shall be provided.
8-18. BUILDING SERVICE EQUIPMENT

8-181. Elevators
8-1811. Eleyators shall not constitute required means of exit.
When places of assembly are more than 3 stories high or more than
3 stories above grade and equipped with automatic elevators, one
or more elevators shall be designed and equipped for fire emer-
gency use by fire fighters as specified in 7-118. Key operation shall
transfer automatic elevator operation to manual and bring elevator
to ground or first floor for use of fire service. The elevator shall be
situated so as to be readily accessible by the fire department.
8-182. Air Conditioning

8-1821. All air conditioning, heating, and ventilation installa-
tions shall comply with Chapter 7 of this Code.
8-183. Special Provisions for Food Service Establishments

8-1831. All devices in connection with the preparation of food
shall be so installed and operated as to avoid hazard to the safety
of occupants.
8-1832.* All devices in connection with the preparation of food
shall be of an approved type and shall be installed in an approved
manner.
619
OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY 101-81
S E C T I O N 8-2. O U T D O O R ASSEMBLY
8-2111. All grandstands, tents, and other places of outdoor as-
sembly shall comply with the requirements of the appropriate
Standard listed in Appendix B.
8-2112. Grandstand and bleacher type seating may be used as
indoor type seating when it meets with the requirements of the ap-
propriate Standard listed in Appendix B.
S E C T I O N 8-3. U N D E R G R O U N D S T R U C T U R E S AND
WINDOWLESS BUILDINGS
8-3111. The requirements of places of assembly shall be in ac-
cordance with this Chapter and Section 16-4 of this Code.
S E C T I O N 8-4. SPECIAL P R O V I S I O N S F O R
E X H I B I T I O N HALLS
8-4111. No display or exhibit shall be so installed or operated as to
interfere in any way with access to any required exit, or with
visibility of any required exit, or of any required exit sign, nor
shall any display block access to fire fighting equipment.
8-4112.* All displays or exhibits of combustible material or con-
struction, and all booths and temporary construction in connection
therewith shall be so limited in combustibility or protected as to
avoid any undue hazard of fire which might endanger occupants
before they have opportunity to use available exits, as determined
S E C T I O N 8-5. E X I S T I N G PLACES O F ASSEMBLY

8-511. Capacity Limitations
8-5111. In existing places of assembly the authority having juris-
diction may permit occupancy by number of persons not to exceed
that for which the existing exits are adequate, provided that measures
are established satisfactory to the authority having jurisdiction to
prevent occupancy by any greater number of persons.
8-512. Height Limitations

8-5121. Existing places of assembly may be permitted at greater
heights than specified in 8-111 in buildings provided with auto-
matic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 6-4.
620

8-5131. In existing places of assembly where interior finish does
not conform to the requirements for new assembly buildings, the
authority having jurisdiction may apply the provisions of 6-2121,
6-2122 and 6-2131 as alternate requirements where applicable.
621
101-83
C H A P T E R 9. EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES
(See also Chapter 17)
9-11. O C C U P A N C Y AND O C C U P A N T L O A D
9-111. Definition of Educational Occupancies
9-1111. Educational occupancies shall include all buildings used
more than 8 hours per week for the gathering of groups of 6 or more
persons for purposes of instruction such as schools, universities,
colleges, and academies.
9-1112. Educational occupancy includes part-day, nursery schools,
kindergartens, and other schools whose purpose is primarily edu-
cational even though the childre,a are of preschool age.
9-1113. Other occupancies associated with educational institutions
shall be in accordance with the appropriate parts of this Code."
9-1114.* In cases where instruction is incidental to some other
occupancy, the section of this Code governing such other occupancy
shall apply.
9-112. Capacity or O c c u p a n t Load

9-1121. The capacity of educational buildings or any individual
story or section thereof for the purpose of determining exits shall
be the maximt, m capacity as determined by the authority having
jurisdiction but not less than one person for each 20 square feet of
net classroom area, or 50 square feet of net area of school shops and
similar vocational rooms.
9-1122. The occupant load of an area having fixed seats shall be
determined by the number of fixed seats installed. Required aisle
space serving the fixed seats shall not be used to increase the oc-
cupant load.
9-1123. The occupant load of an educational occupancy or por-
tion thereof may be increased over that specified above if the neces-
sary aisles and exits ~re provided. An approved aisle or seating
diagram may be required by the authority having jurisdiction to
substantiate such increase in occupant load.
9-1124. Capacity of individual lecture rooms, gymnasiums or
cafeterias used for assembly purposes of more than 100 persons,
622
shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction in ac-

cordance with 8-113 of this Code.
9-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
9-1211. Additional Exit Fadlities
The provisions of this Section are based on occupancy by normal
individuals. Educational buildings occupied in whole or in part
by persons with mental or physical defects that might interfere
with their orderly use of exits shall have additional exit facilities
and other features appropriate to the individual case, as determined
by the school and the authority having jurisdiction.
9-122. C a p a c i t y of Exits
9-1221.* Every educational building, and every floor, section or
room thereof considered separately, shall have exits sufficient to
provide for the capacity thereof, comprised of one or more types
of exits, as follows:
Any door, in accordance with Section 5-2, leading directly out-
side building at grade level, or not to exceed 3 risers above or below
grade . . . . 100 persons per unit of exit width.
Any door leading outside building but requiring steps of over 3
risers to reach grade . . . . 100 persons per unit of exit width; steps
must have ~ more units of width than doors to allow for slower
travel rate.
Stairs, outside stairs, or smokeproof towers, in accordance with
Sections 5-3 and 5-4 . . . . 60 persons per unit of exit width.
Ramps, in accordance with Section 5-6
Class A . . . 100 persons per unit of exit width
Class B . . . 60 persons per unit of exit width.
Horizontal exits, in accordance with Section 5-5 . . . . 100 persons
per unit of exit width.
9-1222.* The same exit units or fraction thereof required for any
individual floor may be counted as simultaneously serving all
floors above the first story or street floor.
9-123. Minimum Number of Exits

9-1231. Every room or space with a capacity of over 50 persons
or over 1,000 square feet in area shall have at least 2 doorways as
remote from each other as practicable. Such doorways shall pro-
vide access to separate exits, but, where egress is through corridors,
may open upon a common corridor leading to separate exits in
opposite directions.
623
EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES 101-85

9-1241. Travel distance to an exit from any point in an unsprin-
idered building shall not exceed 150 feet and shall not exceed 200
feet in a building with complete automatic sprinkler protection in
accordance with Section 6-4.

9-1251. Every aisle, corridor, balcony, and other means of access
to exits, and discharge from exits, shall be in accordance with
Section 5-1.
9-1252. Any corridor shall be not less than 6 feet wide in the clear.
9-1253. A room door may swing into corridor if it does not reduce
the required width, and such a door shall be hinged to swing
180 degrees (parallel with the corridor wall when fully open).
9-1254. Drinking fountains or other eqlaipment, fixed or movable,
shall not be so placed as to obstruct the required minimum 6-foot
corridor width.
9-126. Exterior Corridors or Balconies

9-1261. Where exterior corridors or balconies are provided as
means of exit, they shall open to the outside air except for railings
or balustrades, with stairs or level exits to grade not over 250 feet
apart, so located that an exit will be available in either direction
from the door to any individual room or space, with dead ends not
to exceed 20 feet. If balconies are enclosed by glass or in any other
manner, they shall be treated as interior corridors.
9-1262. The floors of balconies (exterior corridors) and stairs
ball be solid, without opeaings, and shall comply with require-
merits for outside stairs as regards balustrades or railings, width
and pitch of stairs, and other details, but are not required to be
shielded from fire within the building by blank walls, wired glass
windows or the like where the stairs are located on the side of
balcony or corridor away from the building and are separated from
the building by the full required width of the balcony or corridor.
9-127. Exit Arrangement

9-1271.* Exits shall be so arranged that at least 2 separate exits
will be available from every floor area. Exits shall be as remote
from each other as practicable, so ar,'anged that there will be no
pockets or dead ends of appreciable size in which occupants may
624
be trapped, and in no case shall any dead-end corridor extend

more than 20 feet beyond the stairway or other means of exit there-
from.
9-1272. Every classroom or room used for educational purposes or
student occupancy below grade shall have access to one exit di-
rectly to the exterior at grade level.
9-13. DOORS
9-1311. All exit doors designed to be kept normally closed shall
conform with 5-2133.
9-132. Door Swing

9-1321 If a room or space is subject to occupancy by more than
20 persons, exit doors shall swing out.
9-133. Panic Hardware

9-1331. Any exterior door and ~any room door subject to use by
100 or more persons shall be operated by bars or other panic hard-
ware device, in accordance with 5-216, except that a door leading
directly to the outside from a classroom occupied by less than 100
persons may be equipped with the same knob-operated schoolhouse
type lock as is used on classroom doors leading to corridor, with no
provision whatsoever for locking against egress from the classroom.
9-141. Lighting and Signs

9-1411. All educational buildings shall have adequate exit il-
lumination in accordance with Section 5-10. Buildings designed for
night occupancy shall have T y p e 1 or T y p e 2 emergency exit il-
lumination.
9-1412. All educational buildings shall have signs designating the
location of exits or the path of travel to reach them, in accordance
with Section 5-11.
9-1'413. Signs are not required in situations where location of
exits is otherwise obvious and familiar to all occupants, such as in
small elementary school buildings.
9-151. Windows for Rescue and Ventilation

9-1511.* Except in buildings with complete sprinkler protection
in accordance with Section 6-4, every room or space used for class-
625
EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES 101-87
room or other educational purposes or normally subject to student

occupancy, unless it has a door leading directly to the outside of
building, shall have at least one outside window which can readily
be used for emergency rescue or ventilation purposes, and which
meets all of the following provisions:
a. Is readily openable from the inside without the use of tools.
b. Provides a clear opening with a minimum dimension of ap-
proximately 22 inches and is approximately 600 square inches in
area.
c. Bottom of window opening is not more than 42 inches above the
floor.
d. Where storm windows, screens, or burglar guards are used,
these shall be provided with quick opening devices so that they
may be readily opened from the inside for emergency egress, and
shall be so arranged that when opened they will not drop to the
ground.
9-16. P R O T E C T I O N
9-161. Protection of Vertical Openings
9-1611. Any interior stairway and other vertical opening in edu-
cational buildings shall be enclosed and protected in accordance with
Section 6-1.
9-1612. In educational buildings, stairway enclosure will not be
required for a stairway serving only one adjacent floor except a
basement and not co,mccted with corridors or stairways serving
other floors.
9-162. Interior Corridors

9-1621. Every interior corridor shall he of =lot less than 1-hour
fire-resistive construction, and all opcnings therein protected ac-
cordingly. Room doors may be l~4-inch solid bonded core wood
doors or the equivalent. Such corridor protection shall not bc re-
quired when all classrooms served by such corridors have at least
one door directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony or corridor
as in 9-126.
9-1622. Any interior corridor more than 300 feet in length shall
be divided into sections not to exc.ced 300 feet i,i length by smoke
barriers, consisting of partitions with smokestop doors therein."
Such partitions shall be continuous through any concealed space
such as betwcen the hung ceiling and the floor or roof above. Doors
626
in smoke barriers shall be of metal, metal covered, or other ap-

proved type appropriate to the purpose and construction, of the
smoke barrier, with clear wired glass panels.
9-163. I n t e r i o r Finish
9-1631. Interior finish shall be Class A in corridors, stairways and
other means of egress, and may be Class B or C elsewhere in ac-
cordance with the provisions of Section 6-2.
9-164. Fire Alarm System

9-1641. Approved manually operated fire alarm facilities in ac-
cordance with Section 6-3 shall be provided in every educational
building.
9-1642. In buildings provided with automatic sprinkler protec-
tion, the operation of the sprinkler system shall automatically actuate
electrical school fire alarm systems.
9-165. Automatic S p r i n k l e r Protection

9-1651. Every portion of educational buildings below grade shall
be protected with complete automatic sprinkler protection in ac-
cordance with Section 6-4.

9-1661. An area used for general storage, boiler or furnace rooms,
fuel storage, janitors closets, maintenance shops including wood-
working and painting areas, laundries and kitchens, shall be
separated from other parts of the building with not less than a 1-
hour fire-resistive separation and all openings shall be protected
with self-closing fire doors, or such area shall be provided with auto-
matic sprinkler protection. Where the hazard is severe, both the
fire-resistive separation and automatic sprinklers shall be provided.

9-171. Elevators
9-1711. An elevator shall not constitute required means of exit.
When places of assembly are more than 3 stories high or more
than 3 stories above grade and equipped with automatic elevators,
one or more elevators shall be designed and equipped for fire
emergency use by fire fighters as specified in 7-118. Key operation
shall transfer automatic elevator operation to manual and bring
elevator to ground or first floor for use of fire service. The elevator
shall be situated so as to be readily accessible by the fire department.
OPEN PLAN BUILDINGS
627
101-89
9-172. Air Conditioning

9-1721. Every air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating installa-
tion shall comply with Chapter 7 of this Code.
9-173. Electrical W i r i n g a n d E q u i p m e n t
9-1731. Electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance
with the appropriate Standard listed in Appenaix B, and all cook-
ing and heating equipment, high pressure equipment, flammable
liquids, gases, chemicals and explosives shall be installed, stored or
handled in accordance with Chapter 7.
S E C T I O N 9-2. SPECIAL P R O V I S I O N S FOR

OPEN PLAN B U I L D I N G S
9-211. Definition
9-2111. An open plan educational building shall include every
building or portion of a building not having corridors complying
with 9-1621.
9-212. Area Limitations

9-2121. An open plan building shall not exceed 30,000 square feet
in undivided area. A solid wall or smokestop partition shall be
provided at intervals of not to exceed 300 feet. Such a wall or
partition may have smokestop doors therein. Doors shall be of metal,
metal covered, or other approved type appropriate to the purpose
and construction of the wall or partition, with clear wired glass
panels.

9-2131. Travel distance from any point in an open plan
educational building area to an exit door directly to the outside,
to an exterior balcony exit as in 9-126, or to an approved protected
exit passageway or stairway shall not exceed 100 feet in line of
travel.

9-2141.* Interior finish in unsprinklered open plan buildings shall
be Class A or Class B throughout except that movable partitions
not over 7 feet in height may be Class C and that in 1-story build-
628
ings the exposed portions of structural members complying with

the requirements for heavy timber construction may be permitted.
9-215. Variable Floor Plans

9-2151. Where variable floor plan arrangements which will af-
fect existing conditions are contemplated by the use of movable
temporary partitions or furnishings, such floor diagrams shall be
approved in advance by the authority having jurisdiction.
9-216. Sprlnklered Open Plan Buildings

9-2161. The authority having jurisdiction may grant variances to
the above area and travel distance limitations in open plan areas
of buildings having complete automatic sprinkler protection in ac-
9-217. Separation Between Assembly and Open Plan Class-

room Areas
9-2171. Open buildings shall have exits independent from as-
sembly portion.
SECTION 9-3. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR

KINDERGARTENS, ETC.
9-3111. Each room having an occupant load of more than 100

and any room used for kindergarten, first or second grade pupils
shall not be located above the street floor except in buildings of fire-
resistive construction.
SECTION 9-4. UNDERGROUND AND WINDOWLESS

EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS
9-4111. In addition to the requirements of this Section for Under-

ground and Windowless Educational Buildings, the provisions of
Section 16-4 of this Code shall apply and such buildings shall be
provided with complete automatic sprinkler protection.
SECTION 9-5. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR

COMBINED OCCUPANCIES
9-511. Assembly and Educational

9-5111. Any auditorium, assembly room, cafeteria, gymnasium
629
COMBINED OCCUPANCIES 101-91
- used for assembly purposes such as athletic events, with pro-

visions for seating of spectators, or other spaces subject to assembly
occupancy, shall comply with Chapter 8, including Special Pro-
visions for Places of Assembly in Buildings of Other Occupancy,
which provides that where auditorium and gymnasium exits lead
through corridors or stairways also serving as exits for other parts
of the building, the exit capacity shall be sufficient to permit simul-
taneous exit from auditorium and classroom sections, except in
case of an auditorium and gymnasium of a type suitable only for
use of the school population (and therefore not subject to simultane-
ous occupancy) in which case the same exit capacity may serve both
sections.
9-512. Dormitory and Classrooms

9-5121. Any building used for both classroom and dormitory
purposes shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11
in addition to complying with Chapter 9. Where classroom and
dormitory sections are not subject to simultaneous occupancy the
same exit capacity may serve both sections.
9-513. Other Combined Occupancies

9-5131. Any other combinations of occupancy not covered in
9-511 and 9-512 shall comply with all applicable Chapters of this
Code, with exits adequate to serve all occupancies simuhaneously.
S E C T I O N 9-6. E X I S T I N G E D U C A T I O N A L BUILDINGS
9-611. General
9-6111. An existing building housing educational occupancies
established prior to the effective date of this Code may have its
use continued if it coqforms, or is made to conform to the provisions
of this Code to the extent that in the opinion of the authority having
jurisdictio,~ reasonable life safety against the hazards of fire, ex-
plosion, and panic is provided and maintained.
9-612. Additional Protection

9-6121. Additional means of egress, the installation of automatic
sprinkler protection, area separations, emergency lighting, and
other alternate means of protection may be used to provide reason-
able life safety from fire and panic.
630
9-613. Exits
9-6131. Exit deficiency may be corrected by adding addi{ional
exits, preferably those which will provide direct exit to the outside
from classroom or student-occupied areas.
9-6132. In lieu of direct exits to the outside from classrooms addi-
tional life safety may be afforded by the provision of communicating
doors between classrooms or student-occupied areas to: provide
access to at least one exit or exit stair without passing through in-
terior corridors.

9-6141. In an existing educational building where interior finish
does not conform to the requirements for new educational buildings,
the authority having jurisdiction may apply the provisions of 6-2121,
6-2122, and 6-2131 as alternate requirements where applicable.
9-615. Fire Alarm Systems

9-6151. Requirements for fire alarm systems for existing educa-
tional buildings shall conform to those for new educational buildings
subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
631
101-93
C H A P T E R 10. I N S T I T U T I O N A L OCCUPANCIES
10-0001. Institutional buildings are those used for purposes such

as medical or other treatment or care of persons suffering from
physical or mental illness, disease or infirmity; for the care of in-
fants, convalescents or aged persons; and for penal or corrective
purposes. Institutional buildings provide sleeping facilities for the
occupants and are occupied by persons who are mostly incapable
of self-preservation because of age, physical or mental disability,
or because of security measures not under the occupants' control.
Sections of institutional buildings may come under other occu-
pancy classifications regarding exit requirements if these areas are
not used to house institutional occupants, or arc not areas in which
these persons are treated or to which they have normal access, or
which serve as a means of egress for the,n.
Institutional buildings comprise the following groups, groups a.
and b. are treated together in Chapter 10 and group c. is considered
separately:
a. Health Care Facilities (Hospitals and Nursing Homes)
b. Residential-Custodial Care (Nurseries, Ho,nes for the Aged,
Mentally Retarded Care Institutions, etc.)
c. Residential-Restrained Care (Penal Institutions, Reforma-
tories, Jails, etc.) See Section 10-3.
10-0002. Institutional occupancies shall include all buildiqgs

or parts thereof with occupancy as described in 10-0001.
10-0003. All institutional buildings shall be so designed, con-

structed, ,naintained, and operated as to minimize the possibility of
a fire emergency requiring the evacuation of occupants. Because the
safety of occupants of institutional buildings cannot be assured
adequately by dependence o,1 evacuation of the bvilding, their pro-
tection from fire shall bc provided by app,-opriatc a,','angemcnt of
facilities, adequate staffing, and careful develop,he,it of operating
and ,naintenance procedu,'cs composed of the following:
a. Proper design, construction, and compartmentation,
b. Provisions for detection, alarm, and extiqguishment; and
c. Fire prevention and the planning, training, and drilling in
programs for traqsfer of occupants to a,'eas of refuge or evacu-
ation of the building.
632
10-0004. I t is recognized that in buildings housing various types

of psychiatric patients, or used as penal institutions, it is necessary
to maintain locked doors and barred windows that are equipped
to confine and protect building inhabitants. Regarding this neces-
sity, other sections of this Code requiring the keeping of exits un-
locked may be waived by the authority having jurisdiction. It is
also recognized that some psychiatric patients are not capable of
seeking safety without adequate guidance. In buildings where
these conditions exist, reliable means for the rapid release of occu-
pants shall be provided, such as the remote control of locks, or by
keying all locks to keys commonly carried by or immediately
available to attendants.
S E C T I O N 10-1. H O S P I T A L S , N U R S I N G H O M E S A N D
RESIDENTIAL-CUSTODIAL CARE OCCUPANCIES
10-Ill. Application
10-'1111. This part of the Life Safety Code covers hospitals,
nursing homes, and residential-custodial care institutions. The re-
quirements for exits and related features of life safety from fire are
similar in these occupancies. Where requirements vary, the specific
occupancy, such as Hospital, Nursing Home, Nursery, Home for
the Aged, or Mentally Retarded Care Institution, shall be named
in the paragraph pertaining theret6. See Chapter 17 for Operating
Features.
10-112. Definitions
10-1121. Hospital-- a building or part thereof used for the medical,
obstetrical or surgical care, on a 24-hour basis, of 6 or more patients.
Hospital, wherever used in this Code, shall include general hospitals,
mental hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, children's hospitals, and
any such facilities providing inpatient care.
10-1122. Nursing Home - - a building or part thereof used for the
lodging, boarding and nursing care, on a 24-hour basis, of 6 or more
persons who, because of mental or physical incapacity, may be un-
able to provide for their own needs and safety without the assist-
ance of another person. Nursing Home, wherever used in this Code,
shall include nursing and convalescent homes and infirmaries of
homes for the aged.
10-1123. Residential-Custodial Care Facility - - a building, or part
thereof, used for the lodging or boarding of 6 or more persons who
633
HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES 101-95
are incapable of self-preservation because of age, or physical or

mental limitation. This includes facilities such as Homes for the
Aged, Nurseries (custodial care for children under 6 years of age),
and Mentally Retarded Care Institutions. Day care facilities that
do not provide lodging or boarding for institutional occupants are
not covered in this section of the Code.
10-113. N e w Construction, Additions, Conversions

10-1131. Any addition shall be separated from any existing non-
conforming structure by a noncombustible fire partition having at
least a 2-hour fire resistance rating. Communicating openings in
such dividing fire partition shall occur only in corridors and shall
be protected by an approved self-closing fire door. Except where
provisions meeting the requirements of 5-2134 and 10-1245 are
made for such doors, they are intended normally to be kept closed.
Unless these doors are required exits, they are not required to swing
with exit travel as specified in 5-2121.
10-1132. Any building converted to these occupancies shall comply

with all requirements for new facilities.
10-114. O c c u p a n c y a n d O c c u p a n t Load
10-1141. Any occupancy hot,sed in these facilities shall be re-
stricted to those under the control of and incidental to the operation
of the institution. Exceptions are facilities for medical, nursing,
and related education.
10-1142. An institutional bedroom shall not be located in a base-
ment or cellar. Exceptions are obstetrical labor beds, recovery
beds, and emergency observation beds.
10-1143.* Sections of institutional buildings ,nay come under
other occupancy classifications as to exit requirements if they meet
all of the following conditions:
a. They are not intended to serve institutional occupants for
purposes of housing, treatment, customary access, or means of
egress.
b. They are adequately separated from areas of institutional oc-
cupancies by construction having a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
10-1144. The capacity for any floor in number of persons for whom
exits shall be provided shall be the maximum number of persons oc-
cupying that floor, but not less than 1 person for each 120 square
feet gross floor area in institutional sleeping departments and not
634
less than 1 person for each 240 square feet of gross floor area of in-
patient institutional treatment departments. Gross floor areas shall
be measured within the exterior building walls with no deductions.
(See Chapter 3)
10-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
10-121. Number and Types, Exit Measurement
10-1211.* Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible
types:
Doors leading directly outside the building. (see Section 5-2)
Stairs and smokeproof towers (see Section 5-3)
R a m p s (see Section 5-6)
Outside stairs (see Section 5-4)
10-1212. At least 2 exits of the above types, remote from each
other, shall be provided for each floor or fire section of the building.
At least 1 exit in each floor or fire section shall be as indicated in
10-1211.
10-1213. Every institutional bedroom, unless it has a door leading
directly outside of the building, shall have at least 1 outside window
which can be opened from the inside without the use of tools to
permit the venting of products of combustion and to permit any
occupant to have access to fresh air in case of emergency. See
10-1004 for detention screen requirements.
10-1214. Revolving doors shall not be counted as required exits,
and shall not be installed except as specifically stated in Section 5-2,
Elevators constitute a supplementary facility, but are not counted
as required exits.

10-1221.* The capacity of each permissible type of exit shall be
based on its width in units of 22 inches as defined in 5-115. The
capacity of exits providing travel without steps, such as doors and
horizontal exits, shall be 30 persons per exit unit. Where travel is
over stairs, the exiting capacity shall be 22 persons per exit unit.
10-123. Access to Exit

10-1231. Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit
location and access shall be in accordance with Section 5-1, except
as modified in the following paragraphs.
635
HOSPITALS~ NURSING HOMES 101-97
10-1232. An exit shall be so placed that the entrance door of every

private room and every point in open wards, day rooms, dormitories,
dining rooms and other spaces shall be not more than 100 feet
along the line of travel (see 5-118) from the nearest exit. If the
entire building is completely protected by a standard automatic
sprinkler system the distance may be 150 feet.
10-1233. Any aisle and corridor required for exit access in institu-
tional occupancies shall be not less than 8 feet in clear and un-
obstructed width. Buildings shall be so designed that all patient
beds can be rolled to exits.
10-1234. Every exit .~hall be so arranged that no corridor has a

pocket or dead end exceeding 30 feet in which occupants might
be trapped.
10-124. Doors
10-1241. Doors shall be in accordance with Section 5-2, except

as modified below.
10-1242. If locks are installed on hospital, nursery, or mentally

retarded sleeping room doors, they shall be of such type that they
can be locked only from the corridor side, provided that doors of
such rooms leading directly to the outside of the building may be
subject to locking from the room side. In any case, such locks,
except those installed in accordance with 10-1004, shall be such as
to be readily opened by the occupant from inside the room without
the use of any key.
Exception: Doors in Homes for the Aged and in Nursing Homes
may be lockable by the occupant provided that they are capable of
being unlocked from the corridor sidc and keys arc readily available
to attendants.
10-1243. All doorways to institutional sleeping rooms, diagnostic

and treatment areas such as X-ray, st, rgery, physical therapy, etc.,
all doorways between these occupied spaces and the required exits
and all exit doorways shall be at least 44 inches in clear width except
that exit doors so located as not to be subject to use by these occu-
pants may be not less than 28 inches in clear width. Doors to nursery
sleeping rooms, as covered in this section of the Code, shall be at
least 36 inches in clear width.
10-1244. Any door in the line of exit travel from an institutional

sleeping room shall be of the swinging type.
636
10-1245. Doors in fire separations, horizontal e~ts, and smokestop

partitions m a y be held open only by electric hold open devices
which comply with 5-2134. The doors shall close upon actuation
of the fire alarm system required in 10-1366 and they shall be capa-
ble of being opened and closed manually. In addition, the doors
shall close by at least one of the following methods:
a. Activation of the sprinkler system;
b. Actuation of any detector of a complete smoke detection
system, or;
c. By local smoke detection devices installed in such a way as to
detect smoke or other products of combustion on either side
of the door opening.
10-1246. Any door to stairway enclosures or in walls surrounding
hazardous areas shall not be equipped with hold open devices.
10-125. Stairs, Smokep~oof Towers

10-1251. Every stair and. smokeproof tower shall be in accordance
with Section 5-3, and shall be Class A.
10-126. Outside Stairs

10-1261. Outside stairs shall be in accordance with Section 5--4.
10-127. H o r i z o n t a l Exits
10-1271. A horizontal exit shall be at least 44 inches in clear
width and shall be in accordance with Section 5-5. A door in a
horizontal exit is not required to swing with exit travel as specified
in 5-5135 and 5-5143.
10-128. Ramps
10-1281. R a m p s shall be in accordance with Section 5-6, and
shall be Class A and shall not exceed 6 fect in vertical dimension
between top and bottom floor elevations; a Class B r a m p may be
used where the height of the r a m p is 1 foot or lcss.
10-129. Exit Lighting and Signs

10-1291. Exit lighting and exit signs shall be in accordance with
Sections 5-10 and 5-11, except as modified below.
10-1292. Paragraph 5-10113 shall apply.

HOSPITAIJSj NURSING HOMES
637
101-99
10-1293.* Each new hospital shall be provided with essential

electrical systems in accordance with the applicable standard listed
in Appendix B.
10-1294. Every Nursing Home and Residential-Custodial Care

Facility shall have Type 1 or 2 emergency lighting in accordance
with Section 5-10, except for buildings converted to these uses in
which Type 3 may be accepted by the authority having jurisdiction.
10-13. P R O T E C T I O N
10-131. Subdivision of Floor Areas
10-1311. Each floor used for institutional sleeping rooms, unless
provided with a horizontal exit, shall be divided into at least 2
fire sections by a smokestop partition.
10-1312.* No more than 150 feet of corridor length without smoke-

stop partitions or horizontal exits shall be permitted.
10-1313. Any smokestop partition shall have a fire resistance rating

of at least 1 hour. Such a partition shall be continuous through any
concealed space such as between the hung ceiling and the floor or
roof above. Such a partition shall have an opening only in a public
room or corridor. At least 30 net square feet per institutional oc-
cupant shall be provided on each side for the total number of in-
stitutional" occupants on both sides.
10-1314.* Openings in smokestop partitions shall be in accordance

with 6-6111. The doors may be installed to be held in an open posi-
tion only if they meet the requirements of 10-1244 and 10-1245.
Doors in smokestop partitions are not required to swing with exit
travel as specified in 5-2121.
10-132. Minimum Construction Standards

10-1321. Institutional buildings of 1 story in height only may be
constructed of l-hour protected noncombustible construction, 2-
hour fire-resistive construction, 1-hour protected ordinary con-
struction, l-hour protected wood frame construction, heavy timber
construction, or unprotected noncombustible construction. (See
10-136 for automatic sprinkler requirements.)
10-1322. Institutional buildings 2 stories or more in height shall

be constructed of at least 2-hour fire-resistive construction.
638
101-I00 LIFE SAFETY CODE
10-1323. Nothing in this Section removes the requirements in

10-1331 for 1-hour corridor walls or 1-hour smokestop partitions
called for in 10-1311.
10-1324. All interior walls and partitions in buildings of fire-
resistive and noncombustible construction shall be composed of
noncombustible materials.
10-133. Construction of Corridor Walls

10-1331. Any corridor shall be separated from institutional sleep-
ing rooms and treatment areas by construction having at least a
1-hour fire resistance rating. Fixed wired glass vision panels not ex-
ceeding 1,296 square inches in size in approved metal frames may
be used in such corridor enclosures.
10-1332. An institutional sleeping room shall be provided with a
substantial door, such as a l ~ - i n c h solid wood bonded core door,
with openings therein, if any, limited to 1,296 square inches and
glazed with wired glass in approved metal frames. These doors
shall be provided with latches of a type suitable for keeping the
door tightly closed and acceptable to the authority having juris-
diction.
10-134. Protection of Vertical Openings and Firestopping

10-1341. Any stairway, ramp, elevator shaft, light and ventilation
shaft, chute and other openings between stories shall be enclosed
with noncombustible materials and in accordance with 6-1111,
6-1113 and 6-1114. A door in a stairway enclosure shall be self-
closing, shall normally be kept in closed position and shall be marked
in accordance with 5-2133.
10-1342. Firestopping shall be provided in accordance with 6-1311.

10-1351. Interior finish in means of egress shall be Class A. In-
terior finish of any room shall be Class A in accordance with Sec-
tion 6-2 except that Class B materials may be used in individual
rooms of not over 4 persons capacity.
10-136. Sprinklers, Alarm Systems, and Extinguishers

10-1361. Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided through-
out all hospitals and nursing homes except those of fire resistive or
1-hour protected noncombustible construction. (See 10-132 for
construction types permitted.)
639
HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES I01-I01
10-1362. Each residential-custodial care facility as defined in

10-1123 shall be provided with a complete automatic sprinkler
system regardless of hcight or type of construction.
10-1363. Required automatic sprinkler systems shall be in accord-
ance with Section 6--4, for systems in light hazard occupancies, and
shall be electrically interconnected with the fire alarm system. The
main sprinkler control valve shall be electrically supervised so that
at least a local alarm will sound when the valve is closed.
10-1364. The sprinkler piping for any isolated hazardous area
which can be adequately protected by a single sprinkler may be
connected directly to a domestic water supply system having a
flow of at least 22 gallons per minute at 15 pounds per square inch
residual pressure at the sprinkler. An approved shutoff valve shall
be installed between the sprinkler and the connection to the domestic
water supply.
10-1365. Sprinkler requirements for hazardous areas are stated in
10-1371 and sprinkler requirements for chutes are given in 7-1173.
10"-1366.* Every building shall have an electrically supervised,
manually operated fire alarm system, in accordance with Section
6-3, except that pre-signal systems shall not be permitted in insti-
tutional occupancies. Audible alarm devices shall be used in all
nonpatient areas, but visible alarm devices may be used in patient
sleeping room spaces.
10-1367. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all insti-
tutional occupancies in accordance with 6-4221.
10-137. H a z a r d o u s Areas
10-1371.* Any hazardous area shall be so safeguarded as to mini-
mize dangers to occupants of institutional buildings from fires oc-
curring in a hazardous area; the means of safeguard shall be ap-
propriate to the degree of hazard and shall consist of separation
by fire-resistive construction of at least 1 hour, or automatic fire
protection. Where a hazard is severe, both fire-resistive construc-
tion and automatic fire protection shall be used. Hazardous areas
include, but are not restricted to the following:
Boiler and heater rooms Rooms or spaces used for storage,
Laundries in quantities deemed hazardous
Kitchens by the authority having juris-
Repair shops diction, of combustible supplies
Handicraft shops and equipment
Laboratories Trash collection rooms
Employee locker rooms Gift shops
Soiled linen rooms
640
10-14. B U I L D I N G SERVICE E Q U I P M E N T
10-141. Air-Conditioning, Ventilating, H e a t i n g , Cooking, and
Other Service Equipment
10-1411. Air-conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking, and
other service equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 7
except as modified in 10-1412 and 10-1413 below.
10-1412. Fuel burning space heaters and portable electric space

heaters shall not be used.
10-1413. Combustion and ventilation air for boiler, incinerator or

heater rooms shall be taken directly from and discharged directly
to the outside air.
10-1414. Provisions of 7-1123 shall apply to all those facilities

defined in 10-0001 as types a. and b. intended to house 50 or more
patients or residents, except that manual controls are not permitted.
10-1415. Any rubbish chute and linen chute shall be safeguarded

in accordance with 7-117. An incinerator shall not be directly
flue-fed nor shall any floor charging chute directly connect with the
combustion chamber. Any trash chute shall discharge into a trash
collecting room used for no other purpose and protected in ac-
S E C T I O N 10-2. E X I S T I N G H O S P I T A L , N U R S I N G H O M E ,
AND R E S I D E N T I A L - C U S T O D I A L CARE O C C U P A N C I E S
10-211. Application
10-2111. This part of the Life Safety Code covers existing hospitals,
nursing homes, and residential-custodial care institutions. The re-
quirements for exits and related features of life safety from fire are
similar in these occupancies. All structures, both existing and new,
housing occupancies defined in 10-0001 as Types a. and b. shall
comply with all the foregoing provisions unless specifically excepted
in the following paragraphs. (Some requirements for new institutions
are repeated here for ease of reference.) (See Chapter 17 for Op-
erating Features.)
10-212. Modification of Retroactive Provisions

10-2121. The authority having jurisdiction may modify the gen-
eral rule of 10-2111, above, under two conditions:
EXISTING HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES
641
101-103
a. If the building in question was occupied as a hospital, nursing

home or residential-custodial care institution prior to adoption or
amendment of these requirements.
b. Only those requirements whose application would be clearly
impractical in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction
shall be modified.
10-2122.* In such cases the requirements may be modified by
the authority having jurisdiction to allow alternative arrangements
that will secure as nearly equivalent safety to life from fire as
practical; but in no case shall the modification be less restrictive
or afford less safety than compliance with the corresponding pro-
visions contained in the following part of this Code. Some of the
following requirements are the same as for new hospitals and
nursing homes. This has been done to facilitate the use of the Code
by locating all requirements for existing occupancies in one section.
10-213. Conversions
10-2131. No existing building shall bc converted to a hospital,
nursing home, or residential-custodial care institution unless it
complies with all requirements for new institutional buildings.
10-214. Occupancy and Occupant Load

10-2141. Occupancies housed in these facilities shall be restricted
to those under the co,~trol of and incidental to the operation of the
institution. Exceptions are facilities for medical, nursing, and re-
lated education.
10-2142. An institutional bedroom may be located in a basement
or cellar provided the entire cellar or basement area is completely
sprinklered. This includes obstetrical labor beds, recovery beds
and emergency observation beds so located.
10-2143. Sections of institutional buildings xnay come under other
occupancy classifications as to exit requirements if they meet all of
the following conditions:
a. They are not intended to serve institutional occupants for pur-
poses of housing, treatment, customary access, or means of egress.
b. They are adequately separated from areas of institutional oc-
cupancies by construction having a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
(See 10-1143)
10-2144. The capacity for any floor in number of persons for whom
exits shall be provided shall be the maximum number of persons
642
occupying that floor, but not less than 1 person for'each 120 square
feet gross floor area in institutional sleeping departments and not
less than 1 person for each 240 square feet of gross floor area of in-
patient institutional treatment departments. Gross floor areas shall
be measured within the exterior building walls with no deductions.
10-22. EXIT DETAILS

10-221. Number and Types, Exit Measurement
1 0 - 2 2 U . Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible
types:
Doors leading directly outside the building (see Section 5-2)
Stairs and smokeproof towers (see Section 5-3)
The authority having jurisdiction may accept any existing in-
terior stair or fire escape not complying with Section 5-3 or Section
5-4 to be continued in use.
10-2212. At least 2 exits of the above types, remote from each other,
shall be provided for each floor or fire section of the building. At
least 1 exit in each floor or fire section shall be as indicated in
10-2211 a. or b.
10-2213. Every institutional bedroom, unless it has a door leading
directly outside of the building, shall have at least 1 outside window
which can be opened from the inside without the use of tools to
permit the venting of products of combustion and to permit any
occupant to have access to fresh air in case of emergency. (See
10-0004 for detention screen requirements.)
10-2214. Revolving doors shall not be counted as required exits,
and shall not be installed except as specifically stated in Section 5-2.
Elevators constitute a supplementary facility, but are not counted
as required exits.

10-2221. The capacity of each permissible type of exit shall be
based on its width in units of 22 inches as defined in 5-115. The
capacity of exits providing travel without steps, such as doors and
horizontal exits, shall be 30 persons per exit unit. Where the travel
is over stairs, the exiting capacity shall be 22 persons per exit unit.
(See 10-1222)
EXISTING HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES •
643
101-105

10-2231. Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit
location and access shall be in accordance with Section 5-1, except
as modified below.
10-2232. Exits shall be so placed that the entrance door of every
private room and every point in open wards, day rooms, dormi-
tories, dining rooms and other spaces shall be not more than 100
feet (along the line of travel) from the nearest exit; in buildings
completely protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system
the distance may be 150 feet.
10-2233. Any required aisle and corridor shall be not less than
48 inches in clear width when serving as means of egress from in-
stitutional sleeping rooms. It shall be of such width and so arranged
as to avoid any obstructions to the convenient removal of non-
ambulatory persons carried on stretchers or on mattresses serving
as stretchers.
10-2234. Every institutional sleeping room, unless it has a door

opening to grade, shall have a door leading directly to an exit
corridor. One adjacent room may intervene provided that all doors
in the line of traffic are equipped with nonlockable hardware.
10--2235. Every exit corridor shall provide access to at least 2 ap-
proved means of egress from the building in accordance with 5-122,
without passing through any intervening rooms or spaces other
than stairs, corridors or lobbies. Existing dead-end corridors are
undesirable and shall be altered wherever possible so that exits
will be accessible in at least 2 different directions from all points
in aisles, passageways, and corridors.
10-224. Doors
10-2241. Every door shall be in accordance with Section 5-2
except as modified below.
10-2242. Any doorway to an institutional sleeping room, any
doorway between these occupied spaces and the required exits and
all exit doorways shall be at least 40 inches in clear width except
that exit doors so located as not to be subject to usc by institutional
occupants may be not less than 28 inches in clear width. Any door
at least 28 inches wide, previously installed, may be accepted by the
authority having jurisdiction.
10-2243. If a lock is installed on an institutional sleeping room
door, it shall be of such type that it can be locked only from the
644
corridor side, provided that doors of rooms leading directly to the

exterior of the building may be subject to locking from the room
side. In any case, such locks, except those installed in accordance
with 10-0004, shall be such as to be readily opened by the oc-
cupant from inside the room without the use of any key.
Exception: doors in Homes for the Aged and in Nursing Homes
m a y be lockable by the occupant, provided they are capable of
being unlocked from the corridor side and keys are readily available
to attendants.
10-2244. Every door in the line of exit travel from an institutional
sleeping room shall be of the swinging type.
10-2245. Every door in a fire separation, horizontal exit, and
smokestop partition may be held open only by electric hold-open
devices which comply with 5-2134. The door shall close upon actu-
ation of the fire alarm system required in 10-1365 and it shall be
capable of being opened and closed manually. In addition, the
door shall close by at least one of the following methods:
a. Activation of the sprinkler system;
b. Actuation of any detector of a complete smoke detection system,
or
c. By local smoke detection devices installed in such a way as to
detect smoke or other products of combustion on either side of the
door opening.
10-2246. Any door to a stairway enclosure or in a wall separating
hazardous areas shall not be equipped with hold-open devices.
10-225. Stairs, Smokeproof Towers, Ramps

10-2251. Every stair and smokeproof tower shall be in accordance
with Section 5-3 and shall be Class A or B, except that any existing
interior stair not complying with Section 3-5 may be continued in
use subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
10-2252. Every ramp shall be in accordaqce with Section 5-6,
and shall be Class A or Class B.
10-226. H o r i z o n t a l Exits
10-2261. Any horizontal exit shall be in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-5 except as modified below, and shall be at least 44 inches
in clear width.
10-2262. Any door in a horizontal exit is not required to swing
with exit travel as specified in 5-135 and 5-5143.
EXISTING HOSPITALS~ NURSING HOMES
645
101-107

10-2271. Any exit lighting and exit sign shall be in accordance
with Sections 5-10 and 5-11, except as modified below.
10-2272. Paragraph 5-9113 shall apply.
10-2273. T y p e 1, 2, or 3 emergency lighting shall be provided
in buildings with a patient capacity of 30 or more persons.
10-2274. Exit signs are not required in 1-story buildings with an
institutional occupancy capacity of less than 30 persons.
10-23. PROTECTION
10-231. Subdivision of Floor Areas
10-2311. Each floor used for sleeping rooms for more than 30
institutional occupants, unless provided with a horizontal exit,
shall be divided into at least 2 sections by a smoke barrier.
10-2312. No more than 150 feet of corridor length without smoke
barriers or horizontal exits shall be permitted.
10-2513. Any smoke barrier shall have at least a ~ - h o u r fire re-
sistance rating and shall be continuous from wall to wall and floor
to floor or roof arch above. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be
protected by fixed wired glass panels in metal frames or by 1~ - i n c h
solid core wood doors as a minimum requirement. Such doors shall
be self-closing or may be so installed that they may be kept in an
open position provided they meet the requirements of 10-2245.
Ample space shall be provided on each side of the barrier for the
total number of institutional occupants on both sides.
See 10-226 for further requirements applying to such division
walls if they are intended for use as Horizontal Exits. (See 10-1314)
10-2314. Every interior wall and partition in buildings of fire-
resistive and noncombustible construction shall be of noncom-
bustible materials.
10-232. Protection of Vertical Openings and Firestopplng

10-2321. Each stairway between stories shall be enclosed in ac-
cordance with 6-1113 and 6-1114 with partitions having a 1-hour
fire resistance rating, except that where a full enclosure is impractical
the required enclosure may be limited to that necessary to prevent
a fire originating in any story from spreading to any other story.
Fire doors protecting exit doorways therein shall be self-closing or
may be so installed that they may be kept in the open position, under
°
646
101-108 LXFESAFETYCODE
the conditions specified in 5-2134. Exit doors shall normally be

kept in closed position and shall be marked in accordance with
5-2133.
10-2322. Any elevator shaft, light and ventilation shaft, chute,
and other vertical opening between stories shall be protected as
required above for stairways. Where chutes and other vertical
openings connect only 3 successive stories in unsprinklered build-
ings, smoketight enclosures constructed of sheet metal or tongue
and groove wood boards or enclosures of similar fire resistance may
be accepted by the authority having jurisdiction when the shaft is
protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with 10-1363 and
10-1364.
10-2323. Each exterior wall of frame construction and interior
stud partitions shall be firestopped so as to cut off all concealed
draft openings, both horizontal and vertical, between any cellar
or basement and the first floor. Such firestopping shall consist of
suitable noncombustible material or of wood at least 2 inches
(nominal) thick.
10-2324. Any existing linen and trash chute which opens directly
on to any corridor shall be sealed by fire-resistive construction to
prevent further use or shall be provided with a fire door assembly
suitable for installation in a Class B location directly on the chute
with hardware on the corridor side. All new chutes shall comply
with 7-117.

10-2331.* Interior finish shall be Class A or Class B in accordance
with Section 6~-2. In completely sprinklered buildings, Class C in-
terior finish may be continued in use.
10-234. Sprinklers, Alarm Systems, and Extinguishers

10-2341. Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided
throughout all hospitals and nursing homes except those of fire-
resistive construction or 1-hour protected noncombustible con-
struction not over 1 story in height.
10-2342. Each residential-custodial care facility as defined in
10-1123 shall be provided with a complete automatic sprinkler
system regardless of height or type of construction.
10-2343. Any required automatic sprinkler system shall be in ac-
cordance with Section 6-4, for systems in light hazard occupancies,
and shall be electrically interconnected with the fire alarm system.
EXISTING HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES
647
101-109
The main sprinkler control valve shall be electrically supervised so
that at least a local alarm will sound when the valve is closed.
10-2344. The sprinkler piping for any isolated hazardous area
which can be adequately protected by a single sprinkler head may be
connected directly to a domestic water supply system having a flow
of at least 22 gallons per minute at 15 pounds per square inch
residual pressure at the sprinkler head. An approved shutoff valve
shall be installed between the sprinkler head and the connection to
the domestic water supply.
10-2345. Every building shall have a manually operated fire
alarm system, in accordance with Section 6-3, except that presignal
systems shall not be permitted in institutional occupancies. Audible
alarm devices shall be used in all nonpatient areas, but visible
alarm devices may be used in patient sleeping room spaces. (See
10--1366)
10-2346. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all
institutional occupancies in accordance with 6-4221.

10-2351. Every hazardous area shall be so safeguarded as to mini-
mize danger to occupants of institutional buildings from fires oc-
curring in such areas; the means of safeguard shall be appropriate
to the degree of hazard and shall consist of separation by construc-
tion having at least 1-hour fire resistance rating, or automatic fire
protection. Where a hazard is severe, both fire-resistive construc-
tion and automatic fire protection shall be used. Hazardous areas
include, but are not restricted to the following:
Kitchens by the authority having juris-
Repair shops diction, of combustible supplies
Handicraft shops and equipment
Laboratories where qt, anti- Trash collection rooms
ties of flammable solvents Gift shops
are used
Employee locker rooms
Soiled linen rooms

10-241. Air-Conditioning, Ventilating, Heating, Cooking, and
Other Service Equipment
10-2411. Air-conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking, and other
648
I01-II0 LIFE SAFETY C O D E
service equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 7 except as

modified in 10-2412 and 10-2413 below.
10-2412. Fuel-burning space heaters and portable electric space

heaters are prohibited.
10-2413. Combustion and ventilation air for boiler, incinerator,

or heater rooms shall be taken directly from and discharged di-
rectly to the outside air.
S E C T I O N 10-3. PENAL I N S T I T U T I O N S
10-311. Application
10-3111. This part of the Life Safety Code covers residential-
restrained care institutions such as jails, penal institutions, re-
formatories, prisons, and houses of correction.
10-312. Definition
10-3121. Residential-Restrained Care Institution: a building, or
part thereof, used to house occupants under some degree of restraint
or security.
10-313. Occupancy Classification

10-3131. Penal institutions are a complex of structures with each
serving a definite and usually different purpose. For instance, in
all probability there will be represented in most penal institutions
an example of all, or most all, of the occupancy type classifications.
Exits and other features shall be governed by the type of occupancy
classification and the hazard of occupancy.
10-3132. All buildings and structures shall be classified, using

Chapter 4, Section 4-1, Occupancy Classification, as a guide,
subject to the ruling of the authority having jurisdiction in case of
question as to the proper classification of any individual building or
structure. Exit features shall comply with the applicable section of
the Code with the exceptions noted below.
10-3133. Hazards of contents shall be determined by the authority

having jurisdiction using Section 4-2. The foregoing shall be used
in so far as applicable and shall be subject to the ruling of the
authority having jurisdiction in case of question.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS
649
101-111
10-3134. Custody classification of the institution as well as in-

dividual areas within the complex shall always be considered by
the authority having jurisdiction.
10-314. Means of Egress

10-3141. Reliable means shall be provided to permit the prompt
release of inmates confined in locked sections, spaces, or rooms in
the event of fire or other emergency, regardless of the type of oc-
cupancy.
10-3142. Prompt release will be guaranteed by adequate correc-
tional personnel that are continuously on duty (24 hour) and keys
which shall be readily accessible.
10-3143. Any emergency entrance which ~s locked may be classified
as an exit provided that keys are readily available to guards or at-
tendants.

10-3151. Every hazardous area shall be protected in accordance
with Section 10-1371 of this Code.
10-316. O p e r a t i n g Features
10-3161. Each operating feature shall comply with the Institu-
tional Section of Chapter 17, Operating Features.
10-3162. Smoking regulations will depend on management and
authorities having jurisdiction within the institution. The Smoking
Regulations contained in Chapter 17, Operating Features, shall
be used as a guide.
65o
i
101-112
CHAPTER 11. R E S I D E N T I A L OCCUPANCIEs
11-0001. Residential occupancies shall include all occupancies so

classified in 4-115. They shall be classified in the following groups,
subject to determination by the authority having jurisdiction.
a. Hotels. Includes buildings or groups of buildings under the
same management in which there are more than 15 sleeping ac-
commodations for hire, primarily used by transients who are
lodged with or without meals, whether designated as a hotel, inn,
club, motel, or by ony other name. So-called apartment hotels
shall be classified as hotels because they are potentially subject to
transient occupancy like that of hotels.
b. Apartment Houses. Includes buildings furnishing living quart-
ers for 3 or more families living independently of each other and
with independent cooking facilities, whether designated as apart-
ment house, tenement, garden apartment, or by any other name.
c. Dormitories. Includes buildings where group sleeping ac-
commodations are provided for persons not members of the same
family group in one room or in a series of closely associated rooms
under joint occupancy and single management, as in college dormi-
tories, fraternity houses, military barracks, ski lodges; with or
without meals.
d. Lodging or Rooming Houses. Includes buildings or groups of
buildings under the same management in which separate sleep-
ing rooms are rented providing sleeping accommodations for a total
of 15 or less persons, on either a transient or permanent basis; with
or without meals, but without separate cooking facilities for indi-
vidual occupants, except that where rooms are rented for not more
than 3 persons in any private dwelling unit the provisions for the
private dwelling shall apply.
e. 7- and 2-Family Dwellings. Includes private dwellings each
occupied by members of a single family group, with rooms rented to
outsiders, if any, not accommodating more than 3 persons.
(Applies to all the following Sections, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 and 11-5.)
11-11. O C C U P A N T LOAD AND E X I T CAPACITY
11-111. Capacity or Occupant Load
11-1111.* The capacity of residential occupancies in numbers of
persons for whom exits are to be provided except in 1- and 2-
651
HOTELS 101-113
family dwellings shall be determined on the basis of 1 person per

200 square feet gross floor area, or the m a x i m u m probable popula-
tion of any room or section under consideration, whichever is
greater. The capacity of any open mezzanine or balcony shall be
added to the capacity of the floor below for the purpose of de-
termining exit capacity.

11-1121. Exits, arranged as specified elsewhere in this Section of
the Code, shall be sufficient to provide for the capacity in numbers
of persons as determined in accordance with 11-1111, on the fol-
lowing basis:
Doors discharging outside the building at grade or not more
than 21 inches (3 risers) above or below grade; 100 persons per unit
of exit width.
Other level exits such as doors and passageways; 60 persons per
units of exit width.
Inclined exits such as stairs; 45 persons per unit of exit width.
11-1122. Every required exit, and means of access thereto, shall
not be locked against exit travel at any time when the building
is occupied.
S E C T I O N 11-2. H O T E L S
11-2111. This part of this Section shall apply to hotels with ac-
commodations for more than 15 persons, as defined in 11-0001.
11-212. Public Assembly Occupancies

11-2121. Any ballroom, assembly or exhibition hall, and other
space used for purposes of public assembly shall be in accordance
with Chapter 8. Restaurants having a capacity of 100 or more
persons shall be treated as places of assembly.
11-22. E X I T D E T A I L S
11-221. G e n e r a l
11-2211. Any room having a capacity of less than 100 persons
with an outside door at street or grade level may have such out-
side door as a single exit provided that no part of the room or area
is more than 50 feet from the door measured along the natural path
of travel.
11-2212. Any basement occupied for public purposes shall have
exits arranged in accordance with 11-2241 and 11-2251, with
access thereto in accordance with Section 5-1.
652
11-2213. Any basement or subbasement not open to the public

and used only for mechanical'equipment, storage, and service op-
erations (other than kitchens which are considered part of the hotel
occupancy) shall, have exits appropriate to its actual occupancy
in accordance with other applicable sections of this Code.
11-2214.* The same stairway or other exit required to serve any

one upper floor may also serve other upper floors, except that no
inside open stairway, escalator, or r a m p may serve as a required
egress facility from more than one floor.
11-222. Types of Exits

11-2221. Exits, arranged in accordance with Chapter 5 shall be
of one or more of the following types:
Doors to outside at grade, as to a rear street or alley at basement
level
Revolving Doors, as per Section 5-2 (not at foot of stairs)
Doors to subways, only if the subway meets the requirements for
exit passageways or tunnels as specified in Section 5-7
Stairs, Class A or Class B, in accordance with Section 5-3
Outside stairs, in accordance with Section 5-4
Smokeproof towers in accordance with Section 5-3
Ramps, Class A or Class B, in accordance with Section 5-6
Escalators, in accordance with Section 5-8
Horizontal Exits, in accordance with Section 5-5.
11-2222. Any existing interior stair or fire escape not complying

with Section 5-3 or Section 5-4 may be continued in use subject to
the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

11-2231. Street floor exits shall provide units of exit width, as fol-
lows, capacity being determined in accordance with 11-1111 :
One unit for each 100 persons street floor capacity for door or
other level exit discharging at grade level or not more than 21
inches above or below grade
One unit for each 45 persons street floor capacity for stair or
other exit requiring descent to grade
ttOTmLS
653
101-115
One and one-half door units for each 2-unit required stair from
upper floors discharging through the street floor
One and one-half door units for each 2-unit required stair from
basement discharging through the street floor.
11-2232. Every basement exit shall be sufficient to provide for the
capacity of the basement as determined in accordance with 11-1111,
as the basis of 60 persons per exit unit for travel on the same level,
45 persons for upward travel, as up stairs.
11-2233. Every upper floor exit shall provide numbers of units of
exit width sufficient to meet the requirements of 11-1121.
11-2241. Not less than 2 exits, remote from each other, shall be
accessible from every floor, including basements occupied for public
purposes, except as a single exit is permitted by 11-2211. Exits
and ways of access thereto shall be so arranged that from every
point in any open area, or from any room door, exits will be ac-
cessible in at least 2 different directions, except that not to exceed
the first 35 feet of exit travel from a room door may be along a
corridor with means of exit only in one direction (dead end), and
in open areas a single path of travel ,nay be permitted for the
first 35 feet.
11-225. T r a v e l Distance to Exits

11-2251. Any exit as specified in 11-2241 shall be such that it
will not be necessary to travel more than 100 feet from the door of
any room to reach the nearest exit, or 150 feet where the auto-
matic sprinkler protection is provided in accordance with Sec-
t i o n 6-4, such protection to cover the entire building.

11-2261. Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with
Section 5 - I . It shall be unobstructed and shall not be veiled from
open view by ornamentation, curtain, or other appurtenance.
11-227. Discharge from Exits.

11-2271. At least half of the required number of units of exit
width from upper floors, exclusive of horizontal exits, shall lead to
the street directly or through a yard, court, or passageway with
protected openings and separated from all parts of the interior of
the building.
654
11-2272. A m a x i m u m of 50 percent of the exits m a y discharge

into street floor areas provided:
a. Such exits discharge to a free and unobstructed way to the
outside of the building and
b. The entire street floor area is protected with an approved
automatic sprinkler system and
c. T h e street floor is separated from floors below by construction
having a 2-hour fire resistance rating.

11-2281. Each public space, hallway, stairway, and other means
of egress shall have illumination in accordance with Section 5-10.
Access to exits shall be continuously illuminated at all times. Any
hotel with over 500 rooms shall have T y p e 1 emergency exit light-
ing; a hotel with 25 to 500 rooms shall have T y p e 2 emergency exit
lighting, provided that where each guest room has a direct exit to
the outside of the building (as in motels) no emergency exit lighting
shall be required.
11-2282. Every exit from public hallways or passageways on floors
with sleeping accommodations shall have an illuminated sign in
accordance with Section 5-10. Where exits are not visible from every
point in a hallway or passageway, illuminated signs shall be pro-
vided to indicate the direction to exits.
11-23. P R O T E C T I O N
11-2311. Every stairway, elevator shaft and other vertical opening
shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 6-1 ex-
cept as otherwise permitted by 11-2313 and 11-2314.
11-2312.* Any required exit stair which is so located that it is
necessary to pass through the lobby or other open space to reach
the outside of the building shall be continuously enclosed down to
the lobby level.
11-2313. Unprotected vertical openings connecting not more than
3 floors used for hotel occupancy only may be permitted in ac-
cordance with the conditions of 6-1112.
11-2314. In any existing building provided with a complete auto-
matic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 6-4, and where
exits and required ways of travel thereto are adequately safeguarded
against fire and smoke within the building, or where every individual
aOT~LS
655
101--117
room has direct access to an exterior exit without passing through

any public corridor, the protection of vertical openings not part of
required exits, may be waived by the authority having jurisdiction
to such extent as such openings do not endanger required means
of exit. {
11-2315. A basement used for only storage, ~eating equipment, or

other purposes other than hotel occupancy open to guests or the
public, shall have no unprotected openings to floors used for hotel
purposes.
11-232. Protection of Guest Rooms

11-2321. In any new building every corridor shall be separated
from guest rooms by construction having at least a 1-hour fire re-
sistance rating. This paragraph does not apply to buildings equipped
with a complete automatic sprinkler system.
11-2322. Each guest room shall be provided with a door having at
least a fire resistance the equivalent of a la~-inch solid bonded core
wood door.

11-2331. Interior finish in accordance with Section 6-2, and subject
to the limitations and modifications therein specified, shall be as
follows:
For new construction or new interior finish
Exitways, Class A or Class B
Lobbies and corridors, Class A or Class B
Individual guest rooms, Class A, B, or C
Other rooms, Class A, B, or C
Existing interior finish
Exitways, Class A or Class B
Lobbies and corridors
Used as required path of exit travel, Class A or Class B
Not used as required path of exit travel, Class A, B, or C
Individual guest room, Class A, B, or C
Other rooms, Class A, B, or C
11-234. Alarms and Drills

11-2341. An alarm system, in accordance with Section 6-3, shall
be provided for any hotel having accommodations for 15 or more
656
guests except where each guest room has direct exit to the outside
of the building and is not over 3 stories in height, as in motels.
11-2342. Every sounding device shall be of such character and so
located as to arouse all occupants of the building or section thereof
endangered by fire.
11-2343. An alarm sending station shall be provided at the hotel
desk or other convenient central control point under continuous
supervision of responsible employees. Additional alarm sending
stations (as specified in Section 6-3) may be waived where there are
other effective means (such as automatic sprinkler or automatic
fire detection systems) for notification of fire.
11-2344. Suitable facilities shall be provided for immediate noti-
fication of the public fire department, or private fire brigade where
there is no public fire department, in case of fire.

11-2351. Any room containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating
machinery, transformers, or other service equipment subject to
possible explosion shall not be located directly under or adjacent
to exits. All such rooms shall be effectively cut off from other parts
of the building as specified in Section 6-5.
11-2352. Every hazardous area shall be separated from other part
of the building by construction having a fire-resistance rating of at
least 1 hour and communicating openings shall be protected by ap-
proved automatic or self-closing fire doors, or such area shall be
equipped with automatic fire protection. Where a hazard is severe,
both fire-resistive construction and automatic fire protection shall
be used. Hazardous areas include:
Repair shops by the authority having juris-
diction, of combustible supplies
and equipment

11-241. Air Conditioning and Ventilation
11-2411. Every air conditioning installation shall comply with
Chapter 7.
11-2412. No transom shall be installed in sleeping rooms in new
buildings. In existing buildings transoms shall be fixed in the closed
position and shall be covered or otherwise protected to provide a
APARTMENT HOUSES
657
101-119
fire resistance rating at least equivalent to that of the wall in which

they are installed.
S E C T I O N 11-3. A P A R T M E N T H O U S E S
11-3111. Any apartment building which complies with all of the
preceding requirements of this Section for'hotels may be considered
as a hotel and as such the following requirements for apartments
will not be applicable.
11-3112. Every individual living unit covered by this Section
shall at least comply with the minimum provisions of Section 11-6,
1- and 2-Family Dwellings.
11-32. E X I T D E T A I L S
11-321. G e n e r a l
11-3211. Exits, arranged in accordance with 11-3221 and 11-3231
shall provide sufficient capacity to accommodate all occupants on
the same basis as hotels, and using the same types of exit facilities,
all as provided in 11-22 of Section 11-2 except as modified as follows.
11-322. Number of Exits

11-3221. Every living unit shall have access to at least 2 separate
exits which are remote from each other and are reached by travel
in different directions, except that a common path of travel may be
permitted for the first 35 feet (i.e., a dead-end corridor up to 35
feet long may be permitted) provided that a single exit may be per-
mitted under any of the following conditions:
a. Any living unit which has direct exit to the street or yard at
grade, or by way of an outside stairway or an enclosed stairway
with fire resistance rating of 1 hour or more serving that apartment
only and not communicating with any basement or other area not
a part of the apartment served.
b. Any building of fire-resistive construction of any height with
not more than 2 living units per floor, with a smokeproof tower or
an outside stairway as the exit, immediately accessible to all apart-
ments served thereby.
c. Any building not more than 2 stories in height with no base-
ment, or, in case there is a basement, with the street floor construc-
tion at least 2 hours fire resistance and with street floor level not
more than 8 feet 6 inches above grade at any point next the building,
658
excluding areaways or driveways not more than 10 percent of the

perimeter, subject to the following conditions:
(1.) The stairway is completely enclosed with 1-hour fire-
resistive construction with self-closing fire doors protecting all open-
ings between the stairway enclosure and the building.
(2.) Access to the basement is only from the exterior of the
building if the basement contains a hearing plant, group storage,
incinerator room, or paint shop, or other hazardous occupancy.
(3.) All corridors serving as access to exits are of fire-resistive
construction.
(4.) There is not more than 20 feet of travel distance to reach
an exit from the entrance door of any living unit.
(5.) The building or fire section served by the single exit contains
a total of not more than 16 living units on the first and second floors,
or not more than 12 units with a maximum gross area per floor
of 4,000 square feet if any part of the structure is of combustible
construction.

11-3231. Exits and means of access thereto shall be so located that
it will not be necessary to travel more than 50 feet nor to traverse
more than 1 flight of stairs, within any individual living unit to
reach the nearest exit, or to reach an entrance door of the apart-
ment which provides access through a public corridor to an exit on
the same floor level within 100 feet of the door, or within 150 feet
in a building protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with
Section 6-4.

11-3241. At least one-half of required exits shall discharge direct
to the outside of the building; any other exits shall be the same as
required for hotels, 11-2271 and 11-2272.

11-3251. Every public space, hallway, stairway, and other means
of egress shall have illumination in accordance with Section 5-10.
Any apartment building with more than 25 living units shall have
Type 1 or Type 2 emergency exit lighting.
11-3252. Exit signs in accordance with Section 5-11 shall be pro-
vided in all apartment buildings having more than 8 living units
in any one building or fire section.
659
APARTMENT HOUSES 101-121
11-33. P R O T E C T I O N
11-3311. Protection of vertical openings Call be the same as re-
quired for hotels, 11-2311 through 11-2315except that there shall
be no unprotected vertical opening in any building or fire section
with only one exit.

11-3321. Interior finish in accordance with Section 6-2, and sub-
ject to the limitations and modifications therein specified shall be
as follows:
For new construction or new interior finish
Exitways, Class A or B
Lobbies, corridors and public spaces, Class A or B
Individual living units, Class A, B, or C
Existing interior finish
Exitways, Class A or B
Other spaces, Class A, B, or C
11-333. Alarm Systems

11-3331. Every apartment building, unless provided with auto-
matic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 6-4, or auto-
matic fire alarms in accordance with Section 6-3 shall have manual
fire alarm facilities in accordance with Section 6-3 if of more than
3 stories in height and more than 12 apartment units.

11-3341. Every hazardous area shall be separated from other part
of the building by construction having a fire resistance rating of at
least 1 hour and communicating openings shall be protected by ap-
proved automatic or self-closing fire doors or such area shall be
provided with automatic fire protection. Where the hazard is
severe, both fire-resistive construction and automatic fire protection
shall be used. Hazardous areas include:
Repair shops by the authority having juris-
diction, of combustible supplies
and equipment
660

11-341. Air Conditioning and Ventilation
11-3411. Air conditioning and ventilation, when provided, shall
be in accordance with Chapter 7.
S E C T I O N 11-4. D O R M I T O R I E S
11-4111. Any dormitory complying with all the requirements for
hotels may be accepted as such in which case the following pro-
visions of Section 11-4 will not be applicable.
11-4112. Any dormitory divided into suites of rooms, with one or
more bedrooms opening into a living room or study which has a
door opening into a common corridor serving a number of suites
shall be classed as an a p a r t m e n t house and shall be subject to all
requirements of Section 11-3 in which case the following pro-
visions of Section 11-4 will not be applicable.
11-42. E X I T D E T A I L S
11-421. T y p e s a n d Capacity of Exits
11-4211. Exits from upper floors shall be sufficient to provide at
least 1 unit of exit width for each 30 persons, using one or more
of the following types of exits, all in accordance with Chapter 5.
Exits from basements, if occupied, shall be determined on the
same basis as exits from upper floors.
Stairs, Class A or Class B, or smokeproof tower
Outside stairs
Horizontal exits
11-4212. Any existing interior stair or fire escape not complying
with Section 5-3 or Section 5-4 m a y be continued in use subject
to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
11-4213. Each street floor door shall be sufficient to provide 1
unit of exit width for each 50 persons capacity of the street floor,
plus 1 unit for each unit of required stairway width discharging
through the street floor.

11-4221. Exits shall be so arranged that it will not be necessary
to travel more than 100 feet from any point, or 150 feet in a build-
DORMITORIES
661
101-123
ing protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with Section

6-4, to reach the nearest outside door or stair, nor to traverse more
than a 1-story flight of inside, unenclosed stairs.

11-4231. Any dormitory not otherwise covered under 11-4111"
and 11-4112 shall have exits so arranged that from any. sleeping
room or open dormitory sleeping area there will be access to 2
separate and distinct exits in different directions with no common
path of travel unless the room or space is subject to occupancy by
not more than 10 persons and has a door opening directly to the
outside of the building at street or grade level, or to an outside
stairway in which case 1 means of exit may be accepted.

11-4241. Every dormitory shall have exit lighting in accordance
with Section 5-10. Any dormitory, subject to occupancy by more
than 100 persons, shall have Type 1 or Type 2 emergency exit
lighting and exit signs in accordance with Section 5-11.
11-43. P R O T E C T I O N
11-4311. Every exit stairway and other vertical opening shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 6-1. In existing
buildings not more than 2 stories in height of any type of construc-
tion, unprotected openings may be permitted by the authority hav-
ing jurisdiction if the building is protected by automatic sprinklers
in accordance with Section 6-4; or if every sleeping room or area
has direct access to an outside exit without the necessity of passing
through any corridor or other space exposed to any unprotected
vertical opening and the building is equipped with an automatic
fire detection system in accordance with Section 6-3.

11-4321. All interior finish of dormitories shall be Class A or B
in exitways, Class C elsewhere, in accordance with Section 6-2.
11-433. Alarm Systems and Drills

11-4331. Any dormitory not equipped with an automatic fire
detection system in accordance with Section 6-3, or an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 6-4, shall have a manual
fire alarm system in accordance with Section 6-3.
662
11-44. B U I L D I N G S E R V I C E E Q U I P M E N T
11-441. Air C o n d i t i o n i n g a n d Ventilation
11-4411. Every air conditioning installation shall comply with
Chapter 7.
11-4412. Transoms shall not be installed in sleeping rooms in
new buildings. In existing buildings transoms shall be fixed in
the closed position and shall be covered or otherwise protected to
provide a fire resistance rating at least equivalent to that of the wall
in which they are installed.
S E C T I O N 11-5. L O D G I N G O R R O O M I N G HOUSES
11-5111. This part of this section applies only to lodging or
rooming houses providing sleeping accommodations for less than
15 persons as specified in 11-0001.
11-5112. In addition to the following provisions, every lodging or
rooming house shall comply with th.e minimum requirements for
1- and 2-family dwellings.
11-52. E X I T D E T A I L S
11-521. Number, Type, and Access to Exits
11-5211. Every sleeping room above the street floor shall have ac-
cess to 2 separate means of exit, at lease one of which shall consist of
an enclosed interior stairway or an exterior stairway, or a fire
escape or horizontal exit, all so arranged as to provide a safe path
of travel to the outside of the building without traversing any
corridor or space exposed to an unprotected vertical opening,
except that traversing unprotected vertical openings may be per-
mitted in existing sprinklered buildings.
11-5212. Any sleeping room below the street floor shall have direct
access to the outside of the building.
11-53. P R O T E C T I O N
11-531. Alarm System
11-5311. A manual fire alarm system in accordance with Section.
6-3 shall be provided unless the building is equipped with an auto-
m a d e fire detection system in accordance with Section 6-3 or an
1- AND 2-FAMILY D~VELLINGS
663
101-125
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 6-4.
" S E C T I O N 11-6. 1- AND 2 - F A M I L Y D W E L L I N G S

11-6111. This part of this section covers 1- and 2-family private
dwellings as specified in 11--0001 and where the occupancy is so
limited the only requirements applicable are those in 11-6211
through 11-6411 and the general provisions of Section 2-1.
11-62. E X I T D E T A I L S
11-621. Number, Type, and Access to Exits
11-6211. In any dwelling of more than 2 rooms, every room
used for sleeping, living, or dining purposes shall have at least 2
means of egress, at least one of which shall bc a door or stairway
providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside of the build-
ing at.street or grade level. No room or space shall bc occupied
for living or sleeping purposes which is accessible only by a ladder,
folding stairs or through a trap door.
11-6212.* Every sleeping room, unless it has 2 doors providing
separate ways of escape, or has a door leading outside of the build-
ing directly, shall have at least 1 outside window which can be
opened from the inside without the use of tools to provide a clear
opening of not less than 16 inches in least dimension and 400 square
inches in area, with the bottom of the opening not more than 4 feet
above the floor.
11-6213. No required path of travel to the outside from any room
shall be through another room or apartment not under the im-
mediate control of the occupant of the first room or his family,
nor through a bathroom or other space subject to locking.
11-6214. No exit access from sleeping rooms to outside shall be
less than 3 feet wide.
11-622. Doors
11-6221. Each door providing means of exit shall bc not less than
24 inches wide.
11-6222. Every closet door latch shall bc such that children can
open the door from inside the closet.
11-6223. Every bathroom door lock shall bc designed to permit
the opening of the locked door from the outside in an emergency.
664
101-126 LXFE SAFETY CODE
11-623. Stairs
11-6231. Every stairway shall comply at least with the minimum
requirements for Class B stairs in existing buildings, as described
in Section 5-3 in respect to width, risers and treads.
11-63. P R O T E C T I O N
11-6311. Interior finish of occupied spaces shall be no more haz-
ardous than Class C as defined in Section 6-2; in existing buildings,
Class D.
11-64. B U I L D I N G S E R V I C E E Q U I P M E N T
11-641. Heating Equipment
11-6411. No stove or combustion heater shall be so located as to
block escape in case of malfunctioning of the stoqe or heater which
could result in a fire.
665
101-127
CHAPTER 12. MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
S E C T I O N 12-1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

12-11. O C C U P A N C Y AND O C C U P A N T L O A D
12-111. Occupancy
12-1111. Mercantile occupancies shall include all buildings and
structures or .parts thereof with occupancy as described in 4-116.
12-112. Classification of Occupancy

12-1121. Mercantile occupancies shall be classified as follows:
Class A. All stores having aggregate gross area of 30,000 square
feet or more, or utilizing more than 3 floor levels for
sales purposes.
Class B. All stores of less than 30,000 square feet aggregate gross
area, but over 3,000 square feet, or utilizing any floors
above or below the street floor level for sales purposes,
except that if more than 3 floors are utilized, the store
shall be Class A.
Class C. All stores of 3,000 square feet or less gross area, used for
sales purposes on the street level only. (Balcony per-
mitted, see 12-1123.)
12-1122. For the purpose of the classification in 12-1121, the
aggregate gross area shall be the total gross area of all floors used
for mercantile purposes, and where a store is divided into sections
by fire walls, shall include the area of all sections used for sales
purposes. Areas of floors not used for sales purposes, such as a base-
merit used only for storage and not open to the public, are not
counted for the purposes of the above classifications, but exits
shall be provided for such nonsales areas in accordance with their
occupancy as specified by other Chapters of this Code.
12-112.5.* Floor level shall bc as defined in Chapter 3, provided,
however, that 1 balcony or mezzanine floor having an area less
than one-half of the floor below shall not be counted as a floor
level for the purpose of applying the classification of 12-1121, but
ff there are 2 balcony or mezzanine floor levels, 1 shall be counted.
12-1124. Where a number of stores under different management
are located in the same building or in adjoining buildings with
no fire wall or other standard fire separations between, the aggre-
gate gross area of all such stores shall be used in determining
classification as per 12-1121.
666

12-1131.* The capacity of mercantile buildings or parts of build-
ings used for mercantile purposes shall be the maximum capacity
as determined by the authority having jurigdiction, but not less
than the following:
a. Street or main floor, 1 person for each 30 square feet gross
floor area. In stores with no street floor, but accessible directly
from the street by stairs or escalators, the principal floor level at
the point of entrance to the store shall be considered the main floor.
In stores where, due to differences in grade of streets on different
sides, there are 2 or more floors directly accessible from streets (not
including alleys or similar back streets) each such floor shall be
considered a main floor for the purpose of determining capacity.
b. Sales basements, same as street or main floor.
c. Upper floors, used for sales, 1 person for each 60 square feet
gross floor area.
d. Floors or sections used only for offices, storage, shipping and
not open to the general public, 1 person for each 100 square feet
gross floor area.
e. Floors or sections used for assembly purposes, capacity deter-
mined in accordance with Chapter 8.
12-1132. In case of mezzanines or balconies open to the floor
below, or other unprotected vertical openings between floors as
permitted by 12-1312, the population (or area) of the mezzanine
or other subsidiary floor level shall be added to that of the main
floor for the purpose of determining required exits, provided, how-
ever, that in no case shall the total number of exit units be less
than would be required if all vertical openings were enclosed.
12-114. Classification of Contents

12-1141.* Mercantile occupancies shall be classed as ordinary
hazard in accordance with Section 4-2, except that they shall be
classified as high hazard if high hazard commodities are displayed
or handled without protective wrappings or containers, in which
case the following additional provisions shall apply:
a. Exits shall be so located that not more than 75 feet of travel
from any point is required to reach the nearest exit.
b. From every point there shall be at least 2 exits accessible by
travel in different directions (no common path of travel).
c. All vertical openings shall be enclosed.
• MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
667
101-129
12-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
12-121. General
12-1211.* All exit facilities shall be in accordance with Chapter 5
and this Chapter 12, provided, however, only types of exits specified
in 12-122 may be used as required exit facilities in any mercantile
occupancy.
12-1212.* Where a stairway, escalator, outside stair, or ramp serves
2 or more upper floors, the same stairway or other exit required to
serve any 1 upper floor may also serve other upper floors, except that
no inside open stairway, escalator, or r a m p may serve as a required
egress facility from more than 1 floor.
12-1213. Where there arc 2 or more basement floor levels, the
same stairway or other exit may serve all basement floor levels
(same principle as stated in 12-1212 for upper floors), but all re-
quired exits from subbasements shall be independent of any open
stairways between first basement and street floor.
12-1214. Where level outside exit from upper floors is possible
owing to hills, such outside exits may serve instead of horizontal
exits. If, however, the grade exit from the upper floor also serves
as an entrance from a principal street, the upper floor shall be
classed as a street floor in accordance with the definition in Chapter
3, and is subject to the requirements of this Section for street floors.

12-1221. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible
types:
Doors (see Section 5-2)
Stairs, Class A or B, or smokcproof towers (see Section 5-3)
Escalators (see Section 5-8)
Any existing interior stair or fire escape not complying with
Scction 5-3 or Section 5-4 may be continued in use subject to the
approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

12-1231. T h e capacity of a unit of exit width shall be as follows:
668
Doors leading to outside the building at grade or not more than

21 inches above or below grade
100 persons per unit of exit width
Class A or B stairs or smokeproof towers or outside stairs
Escalators, same as stairs if qualifying as required exits
Horizontal exits
12-1232. In Class A and Class B stores, street floor exit doors or
horizontal exit doors, located as required by 12-1251, 12-1252,
and 12-1241 shall be sufficient to provide the following numbers
of units of exit width:
a. One unit for each 100 persons capacity of street floor, plus
b. One and one-half units f o r e a c h 2 units of required basement
stairways discharging through the street floor, plus
c. One and one-half units for each 2 units of required stairways
discharging through the street floor, plus
d. One and one-haft units for each 2 units of escalator width dis-
charging through the street floor where escalators qualify as re-
quired exits or as means of access to required exits.
e. If ramps are used instead of stairways, street floor doors shall
be provided on the same basis as for stairways, with door width
appropriate to the rated discharge of ramps, as per Section 5-6.
12-1241.* In Class A and B stores at least 2 separate exits shall be
accessible from every part of every floor including basements.
Such exits are to be as remote from each other as practicable and
so arranged as to be reached by different paths of travel in different
directions, except that a common path of travel may be permitted
for the first 50 feet from any point.
12-1242. If the only means of customer entrance is through 1

exterior wall of the building, two-thirds of the required exit width
shall be located in this wall.
12-1243. At least one-half of the required exits shall be so located

as to be reached without going through check-out stands. In no
case shall check-out stands or associated railings or barriers ob-
struct exits or required aisles or approaches thereto.
669
MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES 101-131
/
12-1244. I n Class C stores, at least 2 sepfirate exits shall be pro-
Vided as specified by 12-1241, except that where no part of the store
is more than 50 feet from the street door measured along the
natural path of travel, a second exit m a y be waived.
12-125. Location of Exits

12-1251. Exits shall be so located that no portion of any floor
.area will be more than 100 feet from the nearest exit, or 150 feet
in a building protected by a complete automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 6-4.
12-1252. Distance to exits shall be measured from the most remote
point, along the natural path of travel, except that where floor
areas are divided into rooms not used for sales purposes, such as
offices, rest rooms or stock rooms, the distance m a y be measured
from the room door, provided the room is of such size and so ar-
ranged that the m a x i m u m path of travel within the room to reach
the room door does not exceed 50 feet.

12-1261. At least 1 aisle of 5 feet m i n i m u m width shall lead
directly to an exit and the aggregate width of this aisle and all
other aisles leading to such exit mr, st be at least equal to the re-
quired width of the exit.

12-1271.* In buildings with automatic sprinkler protection in ac-
cordance with Section 6-4, one-half of rated n u m b e r of exit units
of stairways, escalators or ramps serving as required exits, from floors
above or below the street floor may discharge through the main
street floor area instead of direct to the street, or through a fire-
resistive passage to the street, provided that:
a. Not more than one-half of the required exit units from any
single floor considered separately discharge through the street floor
area.
b. T h e exits are enclosed in accordance with Section 6-1 to the
street floor.
c. T h e distance of travel from the termination of the enclosure
to an outside street door is not more than 50 feet.
d. T h e street floor doors provide sufficient units of exit width to
serve exits discharging through the street floor in addition to the
street floor itself, as per 12-1232.
670
12-128. Doors
12-1281. Every street floor door shall be in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-2, and a horizontal exit door, if used, in accordance with
Section 5-5 except that in Class C mercantile occupancies, doors
may swing in where such doors serve only the street floor area;
•all doors at the foot of stairs from upper floors or at the head of
basemcnt stairs shall swing with the exit travel.
12-1282.* Where revolving doors are used to provide part of the
required number of units of street floor exit width, such doors
shall be used in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-2.
12-129. Signs and Lighting

12-1291. Every mercantile occupancy shall have exit illumination
and signs in accordance with Sections 5-10 and 5-11.
12-1292. Every Class A store shall have emergency lighting fa-
cilities conforming to Type 1 or Type 2 specifications of Section 5-10.
12-1293. Every Class B store shall have emergency lighting fa-
cilities conforming to Type 1, 2, or 3 specifications of Section 5-10.
12-13. P R O T E C T I O N
12-1311.* Any stairway, elevator shaft, escalator opening or other
vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with
Section 6-1 except as otherwise permitted by 12-1312, 12-1313,
and 12-1314.
12-1312. Exceptions for Class A stores.
a. In any Class A store, openings may be unprotected between
any 2 floors, such as open stairs or escalators between street floor
and basement, or open stairs to second floor or balconies or mez-
zanines above the street floor level (not both to basement and
above unless sprinklered).
b. In any Class A store with automatic sprinklers in accordance
with Section 6-4, openings may be unprotected under the condi-
tions permitted by 6-1112, or between basement and street floor
and between street floor and second floor, or if no openings to base-
ment, between street floor, street floor balcony, or mezzanine, and
second floor, but not more than between 3 floor levels.
MERCANTILE"OCCUPANCIES
671
101-133
c. In .existing Class A stores only, 1 floor above those otherwise

permitted may be open if such floor is not used for sales purposes
and the entire building is sprinklered.
12-1313. Exceptions for Class B stores.
a. In any Class B store, openings may be unprotected between
any 2 floors, such as open stairs or escalators between street floor
and basement, or between street floor and mezzanine or second
floor (but not to both basement and above unless sprinklered).
b. In any Class B store with automatic sprinklers in accordance
with Section 6-4, openings may be unprotected under the conditions
permitted in 6-1112, or between basement and street floor and be-
tween street floor and balcony or mezzanine and second floor.
c. In any existing Class B store only, all floors permitted under Class
B may have unprotected openings if the entire building is com-
pletely sprinklered in accordance with Section 6-4.
12-1314. Exceptions for Class C stores.
a. In any Class C store, openings may be unprotected between
street floor and balcony.
b. In an existing building only, openings may be unprotected be-
tween street floor and basement or second floor not used for sales
purposes.
12-1321. Interior finish of exits of all stores shall be Class A or
Class B, in accordance with Section 6-2.
12-1322. In any Class A or Class B store, interior finish of the
ceiling shall be Class A or Class B in accordance with Section 6-2
unless completely sprinklered in accordance with Section 6--4, in
which case Class C may be used. In any Class A or Class B store,
interior finish of the walls shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C in
accordance with Section 6-2. In any mercantile occupancy, ex-
posed portions of structural members complying with the require-
ments for heavy timber construction may be permitted. Laminated
wood shall not delaminate under the influence of heat.
12-1323. In a Class C store, interior finish shall be Class A, B,
or C, in accordance with Section 6-2.
12-133. Automatic Sprinklers

12-1331. Approved automatic sprinkler protection shall be in-
672
stalled in accordance with Section 6-4 in all mercantile occupanciet

as follows:
a. In all 1-story buildings over 151000 square feet in area.
b. In all buildings over 1 story in height and exceeding" 30,000
square feet in gross area.
c. Throughout basements having an area exceeding 2,500 square
feet when used for the manufacture, sale, storage, or handling of
combustible goods and merchandise.
12-134. H a z a r d o u s Areas
12-1341. Any hazardous area of mercantile occupancies shall be
segregated or protected in accordance with Section 6-5.

12-141. Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Cooking
12-1411. Air-Conditioning, Ventilating, Heating, Cooking, and
other Service Equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 7.
S E C T I O N 12-2. S P E C I A L P R O V I S I O N S F O R
SELF-SERVICE STORES
12-2111. In any self-service store, no check-out stand or associated
railings or barriers shall obstruct exits or required aisles or ap-
proaches thereto.
12-2112. In every self-service store where wheeled carts or buggies

are used by customers, adequate provision shall be made for the
transit and parking of such carts to minimize the possibility that
they may obstruct exits.
S E C T I O N 12-3. OPEN-AIR MERCANTILE OPERATIONS

12-3111. Open-air mercantile operations, such as open-air markets,
gasoline filling stations, roadside stands for thesale of farm produce,
and other outdoor mercantile operations shall be so arranged and
conducted as to maintain free and unobstructed ways of travel at
all times to permit prompt escape from any point of danger in case
of fire or other emergency, but no dead ends in which persons might
be trapped due to display stands, adjoining buildings, fences,
vehicles, or other obstructions.
MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
673
101-135
12-3112. If mercantile operations are conducted in roofed-over

areas, they shall bc treated as mercantile buildings, provided that
canopies over individual small stands to protect merchandise from
the weather shall not bc construed to constitute buildings for the
purposes of this Code.
S E C T I O N 12--4. C O M B I N E D M E R C A N T I L E AND
RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES
12-4111. No dwelling unit shall have its sole means of exit through
any mercantile occupancy in the same building, except in the case
of a single family unit where the family operates the store.
12-4112. No mtdtiple dwelling occupancy shall be located above
a mercantile occupancy unless the dwelling occupancy and exits
therefrom are separated from the mercantile occupancy by con-
struction having a fire resistance of at least 1 hour, or unless the mer-
cantile occupancy is protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance
with Section 6-4, or in the case of existing buildings with not
more than 2 dwelling units above the mercantile occupancy, by
an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 6-3.
674
101-136
CHAPTER 13. OFFICE OCCUPANCIES
S E C T I O N 13-1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
13-11. OCCUPANCY, CLASSIFICATION, AND OCCU-

PANT LOAD
13-111. Occupancy
13-1111. Any office occupancy shall include all buildings and struc-
tures or parts thereof with occupancy as described in 4-117.

13-1121. An office occupancy shall be classified as ordinary haz-
ard in accordance with Section 4-2.
15-113. Capacity or O c c u p a n t Load

13-1131. For purposes of determining required exits, the capacity
of office buildings, or parts of buildings used for office purposes,
shall be the m a x i m u m capacity as determined by the authority
having jurisdiction, but not less than 1 person per 100 square feet
gross floor area.
13-1132. In the case of a mezzanine or balcony open to the floor
below, or other unprotected vertical openings between floors as
permitted by 13-1312 and 13-1313, the population of the mez-
zanine or other subsidiary floor level shall be added to that of the
main floor for the purpose of determining required exits, pro-
vided, however, that in no case shall the total number of exit units
be less than would be required if all vertical openings were enclosed.
13-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
13-121. General
13-1211. Every required exit shall be in accordance with the ap-
plicable Sections of Chapter 5, with access thereto and ways of
travel therefrom in accordance with Section 5-1.
13-1212. I f owing to differences in grade, any street floor exits
are at points above or below the street or grade level, such exits
shall comply with the provisions for exits from upper floors or
basements.
OFFICE OCCUPANCIES -- GENERAL
675
101-137
13-1213.* Where a stairway, escalator, outside stair, or ramp

serves 2 or more upper floors, the same stairway or other exit re-
quired to serve any one upper floor may also serve other upper
floors, except that no inside open stairway, escalator, or ramp may
serve as a required egress facility from more than 1 floor.
13-1214. Where 2 or more basement levels are occupied for
office use, the same stairways, escalators or ramps may serve each,
except that no inside open stairway, escalator, or ramp may serve
as a required egress facility from more than 1 floor level.
13-1215. Basements used only for storage, heating, and other
service equipment, and not subject to office occupancy, shall have
exits in accordance with Chapter 15.

13-1221. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types:
Stairs, Class A or B, or smokeproof towers (see Section 5-3)
Ramps (see Section 5-6)
Escalators (see Section 5-8)
Section 5-3 or Section 5-4 may be continued in use subject to the
13-1222. No slide escape, elevator or other type of exit facility not
specified in 13-1221 shall be used to provide required exits from
any office occupancy.
13-123. Measurement of Exit Width

13-1231. The minimum width of any corridor or passageway
serving as a required exit or means of travel to or from a required
exit shall be 44 inches in the clear.

13-~1241. The capacity of a unit of exit width shall be as follows:
Doors leading outside the building at grade or not more than
One unit for 100 persons
Class A or Class B stairs, outside stairs or smokeproof towers
676
Ramps
Class A, one unit for 100 persons
Class B, one unit for 60 persons
Escalators
Horizontal exits
One unit for 100 persons, but no more than 50 percent of exit
capacity
13-1242. Any street floor exit, arranged as required by 13-125
and 13-126, shall be sufficient to provide the following numbers of
units of exit width:
a. One unit for each 100 persons capacity of the street floor, plus
b. One and one-half units for each 2 units of stairway, ramp or
escalator from upper floors discharging through the street floor, plus
c. One and one-half units for each 2 units of stairway, ramp or
escalator from basement discharging through the street floor.
13-1251. Not less than 2 exits shall be accessible from every part
of every floor, including basements occupied for office purposes or
uses incidental thereto, except as 1 exit is permitted by 13-1252
and 13-1253.
13-1252. For a room or area with a total capacity of less than 100
persons, having direct exit to the street or to an open area outside
the building at grade level, with a total travel distance from any
point of not over 100 feet, a single exit may be permitted. Such
travel shall be on the same floor level, or if the traversing of stairs
is required, these shall not be more than 15 feet in height, and such
stairs shall be provided with complete enclosures to separate them
from any other part of the building, with no door openings therein.
13-1253. Any 3-story office building not exceeding 3,000 square
feet gross floor area per floor may be permitted with a single stair-
way to the third floor, ff the total travel distance to the outside of
the building does not exceed 100 feet, if such stairway does not pro-
vide any communication with the basement or the first or second
floors, and if it is fully enclosed or is an outside stairway.

13-1261. Exits shall be as remote from each other as practicable,
OFFICE OCCUPANCIES -- GENERAL
677
101-139
so arranged that it will not be necessary to travel more than 200

feet from any point in the building to reach the nearest exit, or
300 feet in a building protected by a complete automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 6-4.
13-1262.* No corridor shall have any dead end extending more
than 50 feet beyond the point where exits are accessible in different
directions.
13-127. Discharge of Exits

13-1271. In buildings completely protected by automatic sprin-
klers in accordance with Section 6-4, one-half of required exits from
floors above or below the street may discharge through the open
street floor area under the same conditions as permitted for mercan-
tile occupancies, 12-1271.
13-128. Signs and Lighting

13-1281. Signs designating exits or ways of travel thereto shall be
provided in accordance with Section 5-11.
13-1282. Exit lighting shall be provided in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-10.
13-1283. In any office building subject to occupancy by 1,000 or
more persons, emergency lighting of T y p e 1, 2, or 3 shall be pro-
vided in accordance with Section 5-10.
13-129. Alarms
13-1291. In any building not provided with automatic fire alarm
facilities in accordance with Section 6-3, or automatic sprinklers
in accordance with Section 6-4, a manual fire alarm system shall
be provided in accordance with Section 6-3 if the total capacity
of the building is over 1,000 persons, or if more than 200 persons
are employed above or below the street level.
13-13. P R O T E C T I O N
13-1311. Every stairway, elevator shaft, escalator opening, and
other vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance
with Section 6-1 except as otherwise permitted by 13-1312 and
13-1313.
678
3 floors ,used for office occupancy only may be permitted in ac-

cordance with the conditions of 6-1112.
13-1313. In existing buildings .only, where provided with complete
automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 6-4,
vertical openings may be unprotected if no unprotected vertical
opening serves as any part of any required exit facility, and all re-
quired exits consist of smokeproof towers in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-3, outside stairs in accordance with Section 5-4, or horizontal
exits in accordance with Section 5-5.
13-1314. Basements used for storage or other than office occu-
pancy shall have no unprotected openings to office occupancy floors.
13-1321. Interior finish of exits, and of enclosed corridors furnish-
ing access thereto, or ways of travel therefrom shall be Class A
or Class B in accordance with Section 6-2, or Class C if sprinklered
in accordance with Section 6-4.
13-1322. In general office areas, Class A, Class B, or Class C
interior finish shall be provided in accordance with Section 6-2.
S E C T I O N 13-2. C O M B I N E D O F F I C E AND
MERCANTILE OCCUPANCY
13-2111. In any building occupied both for office and mercantile
purposes, the entire building shall have exits in accordance with
Chapter 13, unless mercantile occupancy sections are effectively
segregated from office occupancy sections in which ease exit fa-
cilities may be treated separately.
679
101-141
CHAPTER 14. I N D U S T R I A L ~.OCCUPANCIES
SECTION 14-1. GENERAL R E Q U I R E M E N T S

14-11. OCCUPANCY AND OCCUPANT LOAD
14-111. Occupancy
14-1111. Industrial occupancies include factories making products
of all kinds and properties devoted to operations such as processing,
• assembling, mixing, packaging, finishing or decorating, repairing,
and similar operations. They shall be subdivided for the purposes
of this Code into the following groups:
a. General Industrial Occupancy. Includes all manufacturing
operations, except high hazard, conducted in buildings of con-
ventional design suitable for various types of manufacture.
This group may include multistory buildings where floors are
rented to different tenants, or buildings suitable for such occupancy
and therefore subject to possible use for types of manufacturing
with a high density of employee population sucfi as in garment
factories.
(This covers ordinary and low hazard with moderate and high
population density.)
b. Special Purpose Industrial Occupancy. Includes all build-
ings, except high hazard occupancy, designed for and suitable only
for particular types of operations, characterized by a relatively low
' density of employee population with much of the area occupied
by machinery or equipment.
(This covers ordinary and low hazard with low population
density.)
c.* High Hazard Industrial Occupancy. Includes those buildings
having contents which are liable to burn with extreme rapidity or
from which poisonous fumes or explosions are to be feared in the
event of fire.
d. Open Industrial Structures. Includes operations conducted in
the open air as distinguished from enclosure within buildings, such
as often found in oil refining and chemical processing plants where
equipment is in the open with platforms used for necessary access,
sometimes with roofs or canopies to provide some shelter, but no
walls.

14-1121.* The capacity of industrial occupancies for which exits
68O
are to be provided shall be 1 person per 1 O0 square feet gross floor

area provided that in Special Purpose Industrial Occupancy a n d '
for O p e n Structures, the capacity shall be the m a x i m u m number of
persons to occupy the area under any probable conditions, and fur-
ther provided that in existing industrial occupancies, the authority
having jurisdiction may waive requirements for additional exits if
the existing exits are adequate for the m a x i m u m number of persons
actually employed.
14-1122. Every auditorium, restaurant, office, garage and medical
facility in connection with industrial occupancies has exits provided
in accordance with the other applicable sections of this Code.
S E C T I O N 14-2. GENERAL INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES
14-21. E X I T D E T A I L S
14-211. General
14-2111. Each required exit shall be in accordance with the appli-
cable sections of Chapter 5, with access thereto and ways of travel
therefrom in accordance with Section 5-1.
14-2112. If owing to differences in grade, any street floor exit is
at a point above or below the street or grade level, such exit shall
comply with the provisions for exits from upper floors or basements.
14-2113.* Where any stairway, escalator, outside stair, or r a m p
serves 2 or more upper floors, the same stairway or other exit re-
quired to serve any 1 upper floor may also serve other upper floors,
except that no inside open stairway, escalator or r a m p may serve
as a required egress facility from more than 1 floor.
14-2114. No slide escape or other type of exit facility not specified
in 14-2121 shall be used to provide required exits from any ordinary
hazard industrial occupancy.
14-2115. Where 2 or more basement levels are occupied for in-
dustrial use, the same stairways, escalators or ramps may serve each,
except that no inside open stairway, escalator or ramp may serve
as a required egress facility from more than 1 floor level.
14-2116. Any basement used only for storage, heating, and other
service equipment, and not subject to industrial occupancy, shall
have exits in accordance with Chapter 15.
14-212. T y p e s of Exits
14-2121. Exits shall be restricted to the following permissible types:
681
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL O C C U P A N C Y 101-143

Stairs, Class A or B, or smokeproof towers (see Section 5-3)
Outside stairs (see Sectton 5-4)
Escalators (see Section 5-7) /
Section 5-3 or Section 5-4 may be continued in use subject to the
14-213. M e a s u r e m e n t of W i d t h of Exits
14-2131.* T h e minimum width of any corridor or passageway
serving as a required exit or means of travel to or from a required
exit shall be 44 inches in the clear.

14-2141. T h e capacity of a unit of exit width shall be as follows:
Doors leading outside the building at grade or not more than
Class A or Class B stairs, outside stairs or smokeproof towers
Ramps
Class A, one unit for 100 persons
Class B, one unit for 60 persons
Escalators
O n c unit for 60 pcrsons
Horizontal exits
O n c unit for I00 persons, but not morc than 50 pcrccnt of
exit capacity
14-2142. A ny strcctfloor cxit shall bc sufficicntto provide thc fol-
lowing numbcrs of units of cxit width :
a. O n c unit for cach I00 persons capacity of the strcct floor, plus
b. O n c and onc-half units for cach 2 units of stairway, ramp, or
escalator from uppcr floorsdischarging through thc strcctfloor,plus
c. O n c and one-half units for each 2 units of stairway, ramp, or
escalator from basement discharging through the strcct floor.
682
14-2151. Not less than 2 exits shall be provided for every floor or
section, including basements used for industrial purposes or uses
incidental thereto, except as a single exit as permitted by 14-2152.
14-2152. For rooms or areas with a total capacity of less than 25
persons having direct exit to the street or to an open area out.side
the building at grade level, with a total travel distance from any
point of not over 50 feet, a single exit may be permitted. Such travel
shall be on the same floor level, or if the traversing of stairs is re-
quired, there shall not be a vertical travel of more than 15 feet,
and such stairs shall be provided with complete enclosures to
separate them" from any other part of the building, with no door
openings therein.

14-2161. Exits shall be as remote from each other as practicable,
so arranged that it will not be necessary to travel more than 100 feet
from any point to reach the nearest exit, or 150 feet in a building
protected by a complete automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 6-4, except as otherwise permitted by 14-2162.
14-2162. In any building used for aircraft assembly or other occu-
pany requiring undivided floor areas so large that the distances
from points within the area to the nearest outside walls where
exit doors could be provided are in excess of 150 feet, requirements
for distance to exits may be satisfied by providing stairs leading to
exit tunnels or to overhead passageways in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-7. In cases where such arrangements are not practicable the
authority having jurisdiction may, by special ruling, permit other
exit arrangements for 1-story buildings with distances in excess of
the m a x i m u m distances specified in 14-2161 if complete automatic
sprinkler protection is provided and if the height of ceilings, ceiling
curtain boards, and roof ventilation is such as to minimize the pos-
sibility that employees will be overtaken by the spread of fire or
smoke within 6 feet of the floor level before they have time to reach
exits, provided, however, that in no case may the distance of travel
to reach the nearest exit exceed 400 feet. Where smoke venting is
required as a condition for permitting distances of travel to exits
in excess of the m a x i m u m otherwise allowed, the smoke venting
arrangement shall be in accordance with 7-113.
14-2163.* From every point there shall be at least 2 separate
exits accessible (except as provided by 14-2152), so arranged as to
be reached by different paths of travel in different directions except
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCY
683
101-145
that a common path of travel may be permitted for the first 50

feet from any point, i.e., no dead end may be more than 50 feet deep.

14-2171.* In any building completely protected by automatic
sprinklers in accordance with Section 6-4, one half of required exits
from floors above or below the street may discharge through the
main street floor area instead of direct to the street, or through a
fire-resistive passage to the street, provided that:
a. Not more than one-half of the rec~ired exit units from any
single floor considered separately discharge through the street
floor area.
b. T h e exits are enclosed in accordance with Section 6-1 to the
street floor.
c. T h e distance of travel from the termination of the enclosure
to an ot~tside street door is not more than 50 feet.
d. The street floor doors provide sufficient units of exit width to
serve as exits discharging through the street floor in addition to the
street floor itself, as per 14-2142.
14-218. Signs, Lighting, Alarms

14-2181. Signs designating exits or ways of travel thereto shall be
provided in accordance with Section 5-11.
14-2182. Exit lighting shall be provided in accordance with Sec-
tion 5-10.
14-2183. In any building not provided with automatic fire de-
tection facilities in accordance with Section 6-3, or automatic sprin-
klers in accordance with Section 6-4, a manual fire alarm system
shall be provided in accordance with Section 6-3 if the total capa-
city of the building is over 500 persons, or if more than 25 persons
are employed above or below the street level, except that no manual
fire alarm system shall be required in l-story buildings where the
entire area is undivided and all parts thereof are clearly visible to all
occupants.
14-22. PROTECTION
14-2211.* Every stairway, elevator shaft, escalator opening, and
other vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance
684
with Section 6-1 except as otherwise permitted by 14-2212 and

14-2213.
3 floor levels used for industrial occupancy only may be permitted
in accordance with the conditions of 6-1112, with automatic sprin-
lder protection.
14-2213. In any existing building only, where provided with c6m-
plete automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 6-4,
vertical openings may be unprotected if no unprotected vertical
opening serves as any part of any required exit facility, and all
required exits consist of smokeproof towers in accordance with
Section 5-3, outside stairs in accordance with Section 5-4, or hori-
zontal exits in accordance with Section 5-5.

14-2221. Interior finish shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C unless
otherwise permitted by the authority having jurisdiction.
S E C T I O N 14-3. SPECIAL P U R P O S E
INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCY
14-3111. Special purpose industrial occupancies, as defined in

14-1111, shall have exits and other features in accordance with the
provisions for general industrial occupancy, except as modified in
this Section.
14-32. E X I T DETAILS
14-3211. Exits need be provided only for the persons actually em-
ployed; spaces not subject to human occupancy because of the
presence of machinery or equipment may be excluded from con-
sideration.
14-33. PROTECTION
14-3311. Where unprotected vertical openings are necessary to
manufacturing operations they may be permitted beyond the
limits specified for General Industrial Occupancy, provided that
every floor level has direct access to 1 or more enclosed stairways
or other exits protected against obstruction by any fire in the open
685
HIGH HAZARD OCCUPANCY 101-147
areas connected by the unprotected vertical openings or smoke

therefrom.
S E C T I O N 14-4. H I G H H A Z A R D
INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCY
14-4111. High hazard industrial occupancy/as defined in 14-0001

shall comply with the provisions for General Industrial Occupancy,
except as modified by the following paragraphs.
14-42. EXIT DETAILS

14-4211. In addition to types of exits for upper floors specified for
General Industrial Occupancy, approved slide escapes may be used
as required exits for both new and existing buildings.

14-4221. From every point in every floor area there shall be at
least 2 exits accessible in different directions. Where floor areas are
divided into rooms, there shall be at least 2 ways of escape from
every room, however small, except for toilet rooms so located that
the points of access thereto are out of or suitably shielded from areas
of high hazard.

14-4231. Exits shall be so located that it will not be necessary to
travel more than 75 feet from any point to reach the nearest exit.
14-43. PROTECTION
14-4311. Every vertical opening in a new or existing building of
high hazard occupancy shall be enclosed or protected in accordance
with Section 6-1, except that where unprotected openings are
necessary to a manufacturing operation they may be permitted by
the authority having jurisdiction subject to such restrictions as to
occupancy, exits, and other features as the authority having juris-
diction may specify to offset the hazard of the unprotected vertical
openings.
686
14-432. Automatic Sprinklers, Explosion Venting

14-4321. Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic
sprinkler protection or such other protection as may be appropriate
to the particular hazard, including explosion venting for any ~irea
subject to a dust explosion hazard, designed to minimize danger
to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they have
time to utilize exits to escape.
S E C T I O N 14-5. O P E N I N D U S T R I A L S T R U C T U R E S
14-5111. Open industrial structures, as defined in 14-0001, shall

have exit facilities such as to provide at least 1 means of escape
from any point subject to human occupancy, such means of esqape
affording reasonable safety from any probable fire or smoke there-
from, explosion or release of fumes, all in general conformity with
the general provisions of this Chapter of the Code in so far as
applicable, with due allowance for the increased safety inherent
in any open structure where any heat, smoke, or fumes will not be
confined by walls or roofs.
14-5112. Where subject to occupancy by more than 10 persons, at
least 1 additional means of escape shall be provided.
687
101-149
CHAPTER 15. STORAGE OCCUPANCIES
S E C T I O N 15-1. G E N E R A L S T O R A G E ' O C C U P A N C I E S
15-1i. O C C U P A N C Y AND C L A S S I F I C A T I O N
15-111. Occupancy
15-1111. Storage occupancies shall include all occupancies defined
in 4-119.

15-1121.* Storage occupancies shall be classified as ordinary haz-
ard, high hazard, or low hazard in accordance with Section 4-2,
de.pending upon the character of the materials stored, their pack-
agang, and other factors.
15-12. E X I T D E T A I L S
15-1211. Every building or structure used for storage, and every
section thereof considered separately, shall have access to at least
1 exit so arranged and located as to provide a suitable means of
escape for any persons employed therein, and in any room or space
exceeding 15,000 square feet gross area, or where more than 10
persons may be normally present, at least 2 separate means of exit
shall be available, as remote from each other as practicable.
15-1212. Every storage area shall have access to at least 1 means
of exit which can be readily opened, not subject to locking at any
time that any persons are therein, and not dependent on any power-
operated doors except power-operated doors complying with 5-2181.

15-1221. Every area used for the storage of hazardous com-
modities shall have an exit within 75 fcct of any point in the area
where persons may bc present, or 100 fcct where automatic sprin-
Idcr protection in accordance with Section 6-4 is provided, d~stanccs
to bc measured along the natural path of travel.
S E C T I O N 15-2. S P E C I A L P R O V I S I O N S F O R G A R A G E S
15-2111.* The following provisions apply to parking garages, of

688
closed or open type, above or below ground, but not to mechanical

parking facilities where automobiles are moved into and o u t ' o f
storage mechanically which are not normally occupied by persons
and thus require no exit facilities. Where repair operations are
conducted the exits shall comply with Chapter 14, Ordinary Hazard
Industrial Occupancy, in addition to compliance w i t h the follow-
ing paragraphs.
15-2112. Where both parking and repair operations are conducted
in the same building, the entire building shall comply with Chapter
14, unless the parking and repair sections are effectively separated
by fire-resistive construction in which the parking and repair sec-
tion may be treated separately.
15-22. EXIT DETAILS

15-221. General
15-2211. O n the street floor at least 2 separate exit doors shall be
provided in accordancc with Section 5-2, except that any opening
for the passage of automobiles m a y serve as a means of exit, pro-
vidcd that no door or shutter is installed thereon. Street floor exits
in closed garages shall bc so arranged that no point in the area is
more than I00 feet from the nearest exit, or 150 fcct in the case of
garages protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with Sec-
tion 6--4, distance being measured along the natural path of travel.
15-2212. O n floors above the street at least 2 means of exit shall
bc provided, one of which shall bc an enclosed stairway, smoke-
proof tower, or outside stair in accordance with Sections 5-3 and
5-4, or a horizontal exit in accordance with Section 5-5. The other
means of egress m a y bc a second exit of any of the types permitted
by the preceding sentence, or in a ramp-typc garage with open ramps
not subject to closure, the r a m p m a y serve as the second means of
exit.
15-2213. On floors below the street (either basement or outside
underground garages) at least 2 exits shall be provided, not counting
any automobili~ ramps except that for garages extending only 1
floor level below the street, a r a m p leading direct to the outside
m a y constitute 1 required means of exit. In garages below street
level exits shall be so arranged that no part of the area will be
more than 100 fcct (mcasurcd along the line of travel) from the
nearest stair exit.
15-2214.* If any gasoline pumps arc located within any closed
parking garage, exits shall bc so located that travel away from the
689
GARAGES - 101-151
gasoline pump in any direction will lead to an exit, with no dead

end in which occupants might be trapped by fire or explosion at
any gasoline pump. Such exit shall lead to the outside of the build-
ing on the same level, or down stairs; no upward travel permitted
unless direct outside exits are available from that floor and any floor
below (as in the case of a basement garage where the grade is 1 story
or more lower at the rear than at the street). Where gasoline is
dispensed at a floor above the basement, exits from the basement
shall be direct to the outside from the basement via outside stairs
or doors at grade.
15-222. Travel Distance to Exits \

15-2221. Every floor of every closed parking garage "shall have ac-
cess to at least 2 separate means of exit, so arranged that from any
point in the garage the paths of travel to the 2 means of exit will be
in different directions except that a common path of travel may be
permitted for the first 50 feet from any point.
15-2222. Upper floor exits in closed garages shall be so arranged
that no point in the area will be more than 100 feet (measured along
the line of travel) from the nearest exit other than a ramp on the
same floor level, or 150 feet in the case of garages protected by auto-
marie .sprinklers in accordance with Section 6-4.
15-223. Signs
15-2231. Exit signs, in accordance with Section 5-11, shall be
provided for all required exits, or ways of travel to rcac~l exits, ex-
cept that ramps and doors for automobiles need not have signs.
AIRCRAFT HANGARS
15-31. E X I T D E T A I L S
15-311. General
15-3111.* Exits from aircraft storage or servicing areas shall be
provided at intervals of not more than 150 feet on all exterior
walls of aircraft hangars. There shall be a minimum of 2 exits
serving each aircraft storage or servicing area: Horizontal exits
through interior fire walls shall be provided at intervals of not
more than 100 feet. Dwarf or "smash" doors in doors accommo-
dating aircraft may be used to comply with these requirements.
All doors designated as exits shall be kept unlocked in the direc-
tion of exit travel while area is occupied.
690
15-3112. Exits from mezzanine floors in aircraft storage or servicing

areas shall be so arranged that the maximum travel to reach the
nearest exit from any point on the mezzanine shall not exceed
75 feet. Such exits shah lead directly to a properly enclosed stair-
well discharging directly to the exterior or to a suitably cutoff area
or to outside stairs.
15-312. Signs
15-3121. Exit signs shall be provided over doors and ex!tways in
accordance with Section 5-11.
GRAIN ELEVATORS
15-4111.* In grain elevators, there shall be at least 1 stair tower

from basement to first floor and from the first floor to the top floor
of working house enclosed in a dust-tight noncombustible shaft.
15-4112. Noncombustible doors of the self-closing type shall be
provided at each floor landing.
15-4113. An exterior stair or basket ladder type fire escape shall
be provided from the roof of the working house to ground level or
to roof of an adjoining annex with access from all floors above the
first.
15-4114. An exterior stair or basket ladder type fire escape shall
be provided from the roof of each storage annex to ground level.
691
101-153
CHAPTER 16. MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES
16-0001. Any building or structure occupied for purposes not

covered by Chapters 8 through 16 shall have exits|and related
safeguards in accordance with the fundamental principles of this
Code as stated in Chapter 2, and shall comply with the following
provisions where applicable.
S E C T I O N 16-1. T O W E R S
16-1111.* Any tower occupied for purposes such as observation,

signaling, either an independent structure or on top of a building,
shall be permitted with a single stairway or r a m p exit if all of the
following conditions are met:
a. T h e tower is of such size as not to be subject to occupancy by

more than 25 persons on any one floor level.
b. T h e tower is subject only to occupancy by able-bodied persons

and is not used for living or sleeping purposes.
c. T h e construction is fire-resistive, noncombustible or heavy tim-

ber. The interior finish, if any, is Class A or Class B (See Section
6-2), and there are no combustible materials in, under, or in the
immediate vicinity of the tower except necessary furniture such as
chairs or benches.
16-1112. In each tower where there is no occupancy below the

top floor level and the conditions of 16-1111 arc met, stairsm a y bc
open with no enclosure required, or where the structure is entirely
open, fire-escapetype stairsm a y bc used.
16-1113. Stairs shall be Class B for new construction, but may be

outside stairs or fire-escape type stairs for existing towers.
16-1114. A tower such as a forest fire observation tower and a

railroad signal tower designed for occupancy only by not more than
3 persons employed therein m a y bc of any type of construction,
and m a y bc served by ladders instead of stairs,provided, however,
692
that if used for living or sleeping purposes it shall at least comply

with exit requirements for private dwellings, Section 11-6.
S E C T I O N 16-2. P I E R S A N D
WATER-SURROUNDED STRUCTURES
16-2111. Every pier occupied as a place of amusement, passenger

terminal, or used for any purpose other than for the mooring of
vessels and handling of cargo shall be provided with means of exit
from any structures thereon and to the mainland appropriate to
the character of occupancy of the pier in general accordance with
the applicable sections of Chapters 8 through 16.
16-2112.* Any pier, occupied as per 16-2111, extending more than
150 feet from the shore shall be so arranged as to minimize the
possibility that fire in or under the pier may block escape of oc-
cupants to shore, by one or more of the following measures:
a. Pier so arranged as to provide 2 separate ways of travel to shore,
as by 2 well-separated walkways or independent structures.
b. Open, fie-resistive pier deck on noncombustible supports.
c. Pier deck provided with automatic sprinkler protection for
combustible substructure and for superstructure, if any.
d. Pier is completely open and unobstructed and is 50 feet or more
in width if less than "500 feet long or.its width is not less than 10
percent of its length if over 500 feet long.
e. Any other arrangement providing equivalent safety, as approved
16-2113. Any building or structure surrounded by water, such as
a lighthouse or "Texas tower," shall have sufficient outside area
of ground as on an island, or fire-resistive platform, to provide an
adequate area of refuge from any fire in the structure. Means shall
be available for transportation of occupants away from such struc-
tures to the mainland or other places of safety, such as by boat or
helicopter, in case of fire or other emergency, within a reasonable
period of time.
S E C T I O N 16-3. V E H I C L E S A N D VESSELS
16-3111.* Any house trailer or similar vehicle, railroad car, street

car, truck or bus from which the wheels have been removed, a
693
UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES 101-155
permanent-type foundation provided, or otherwise fixed so that it

is not mobile shall be considered as a building and shall be subject
to the requirements of this Code which are applicable to buildings
of similar occupancy.
16-3112. Any ship, barge, or other .vessel which is permanently

moored or aground and is occupied for purposes other than navi-
gation shall be subject to the requirements of this Code applicable
to buildings of similar occupancy.
/
S E C T I O N 16-4. U N D E R G R O U N D . S T R U C T U R E S
AND W I N D O W L E S S B U I L D I N G S
16-41. GENERAL
16-4111.* Any floor area subject to occupancy by 100 or more

persons, from which there is no direct access to outdoors or to
another fire area, and no outside light or ventilation through
windows, shall be equipped with complete automatic sprinkler pro-
tection in accordance with Section 6-4.
16-4112. Any underground structure, building, or floor area lack-

ing outside access or windows and having combustible contents,
interior finish, or construction as specified in 16-4111, if subject to
occupancy by more than 1,000 persons shall have automatic smoke
venting facilities in accordance with Chapter 7 in addition to auto-
marie sprinkler protection.
16-4!13. Any underground structure, or windowless building for

which no natural lighting is provided, subject to occupancy by
more than 100 persons in any room or fire area, shall be provided
with T y p e 1, 2, or 3 emerge,icy exit lighting in accordance with
Section 5-9, provided that where the occupancy is such as to re-
quire a specific type of emergency lighting such requirements shall
govern.
16-42. U N D E R G R O U N D STRUCTURES
16-4211. Where required exits from underground structures in-

volve upward travel, such as ascending stairs or ramps, such up-
ward exits shall be cut off from main floor areas. If the area contains
any combustible contents or combustible interior finish it shall be
694
provided with outside vented smoke traps or other means to prevent

the exits serving as flues for smoke from any fire in the area served
by the exits, thereby making the exits impassable.
16-43. W I N D O W L E S S B U I L D I N G S
16-4311. Every windowless building shall be provided with out-

side access panels on each floor level, designed for fire department
access from ladders for purposes of ventilation and rescue of trapped
occupants.
695
101-157
CHAPTER 17. OPERATING FEATURES
S E C T I O N 17-1. G E N E R A L
17-11. F I R E E X I T D R I L L S /
17-1111.* Fire exit drills, in accordance with the provisions of this
Chapter of the Code, shall be regularly conducted in schools and
other occupancies where specified by the provisions of Chapters 8
through 16, but with any necessary modifications in detail of pro-
cedures to make the drills most effective for their intended purpose
in any individual building, subject to the approval of the authority
having j urisdiction.
17-1112. Fire exit drills, where required, shall be held with suf-
ficient frequency to familiarize all occupants with the drill procedure
and to have the conduct of the drill a matter of established routine.
17-1113.* Drills shall be held at unexpected times and under
varying conditions to simulate the unusual conditions obtaining in
case of fire.
17-1114. Responsibility for the planning and conduct of drills
shall be assigned only to competent persons qualified to exercise
leadership.
17-1115. In the conduct of drills emphasis shall be placed upon
orderly evacuation under proper discipline rather than upon speed
as such; no running or horseplay shall be permitted.
17-1116.* Drills shall include suitable procedures to make sure that
all persons in the building, or all persons subject to the drill, ac-
tually participate.
17-1117. Fire alarm facilities, where available, shall be regularly
used in the conduct of fire exit drills.
17-1118.* In the conduct of drills evacuation of the building shall
take precedence over fire extinguishing operations, except in so far
as in actual fire certain fire fighting operations may be necessary to
permit rescue of trapped occupants.
17-12. FURNISHINGS AND DECORATIONS

17-1211. No furnishings, decorations, or other objects shall be so
placed as to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom, or
visibility thereof.
696
17-1212.* Combustible furnishings or decorations shall be flame-

proofed where required by the applicable provisions of this Chapter.
17-1213. No furnishings or decorations of an explosive or highly
flammable character shall be used in any place of assembly or
other occupancy except private dwellings.
17-13. A U T O M A T I C SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

17-1311.* All automatic sprinkler systems required by this Code
shall be continuously maintained in reliable operating condition
at all times, and such periodic inspections and tests shall be made
as are necessary to assure proper maintenance.
17-14. ALARM A N D FIRE D E T E C T I O N SYSTEMS

17-1411. Systems shall be under the supervision of a responsible
person who shall cause proper tests to be made at specified inter-
vals and have general charge of all alterations and additions.
17-1412. Systems shall be tested at not less than weekly intervals,
except as otherwise specified by the applicable provisions of Chap-
ters 8 through 16.
17-1413. Fire alarm signaling equipment shall be restored to serv-
ice as promptly as possible after each test or alarm, and shall be
kept in normal condition for operation. Equipment requiring re-
winding or replenishing shall be rewound or replenished as promptly
as possible after each test or alarm.
17-15. FIRE R E T A R D A N T PAINTS

17-1511. Fire retardant paints or solutions shall be renewed at
such intervals as necessary to maintain the necessary flameproofing
properties.
SECTION 17-2. P L A C E S OF ASSEMBLY

17-211. Drills
17-2111. Thc employees or attendants of placcs of public assembly
shall bc schooled or drilled in the duties they arc to pcrform in
case of fire, panic, or other cmcrgcncy in order to be of greatest
service in cffccting orderly exit of assemblages.
17-212. O p e n Flame Devices
17-2121.* N o open flame lighting devices shall be used in any
place of assembly except:
OPERATING FEATURES
697
101-159
a. Where necessary for ceremonial or religious purposes the au-

thority having jurisdiction may permit open flame lighting under
such restrictions as are necessary to avoid danger of ignition of
combustible materials or injury to occupants.
b. Open flame devices may be used on stages where a necessary
part of theatrical performances, provided adequate precautions,
satisfactory to the authority flaying jurisdiction are taken to pre-
vent ignition of any combustible materials.
c. Gas lights may be permitted provided adequate precautions
satisfactory to the authority having jurisdiction are taken to pre-
vent ignition of any combustible materials.
d. As permitted in 17-213.
17-213. Special Food Service Devices

17-2131. Portable cooking equipment, not flue-connected, shall be
permitted only as follows:
a. Equipment fueled by small heat sources which can be readily
extinguished by water, such as candles or alcohol-burning equip-
ment (including "solid alcohol"), may be used provided adequate
precautions satisfactory to the authority having jurisdiction are
taken to prevent ignition of any combustible materials.
b. Candles may be used on tables used for food service if securely
supported on substantial noncombustible bases, so located as to
avoid danger of ignition of combustible materials, and only if ap-
proved by the authority having jurisdiction. Candle flames must
be protected.
c. "Flaming Sword" or other equipment involving open flames
and flamed dishes such as cherries jubilee, crepes suzcttc, etc., may
be permitted provided necessary precautions are taken, and sub-
ject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
17-214. Smoking
17-2141. Smoking in places of assembly may be regulated by the
authority having jurisdiction.
17-2142. In rooms or areas where smoking is prohibited, plainly
visible " N O S M O K I N G " signs shall bc posted.
17-2143. No person shall smoke in prohibited areas which arc so
posted.
698 "
101-160 LtF~ SAFETY CODI~
17-2144. Where smoking is permitted, suitable ash trays or re-

ceptacles should be provided in convenient locations.
17-215. Decorations
17-2151. Combustible materials shall be treated with an effective
flameproofing material. Stage settings made of combustible ma-
terials shall likewise be treated with flameproofing materials. Flame-
proofing treatments shall be as specified in 17-12.
17-216. Seating
17-2161. a. Seats in places of assembly accommodating more thari
200 persons shall be securely fastened to the floor except when
fastened together in groups of not less than 3 nor more than 7 and
as permitted by 17-2161b. All seats in balconies and galleries
shall be securely fastened to the floor, except in churches.
b. Seats not secured to the floor may be permitted in restaurants,
night clubs, and other occupancies where the fastening of seats to
the floor may be impracticable, provided that in the area used for
seating (excluding dance floor, stage, etc.), there shall be not more
than 1 seat for each 15 square feet of net floor area and adequate
aisles to reach exits shall be maintained at all times.
Exception ~ Seating diagrams may be submitted for approval of
the authority having jurisdiction to allow increase in occupant
load as per 8-1135.
SECTION 17-3. EDUCATIONAL OCCUPAN~CIES

17-311. Drills
17-3111.* Fire exit drills shall be conducted regularly in accord-
ance with the applicable provisions of the following paragraphs.
17-3112.* There shall be at least 8 fire exit drills a year in schools.
In climates where the weather is severe during the winter months,
weekly drills should be held at the beginning of the school term to
complete the required number of drills before cold weather so as
not to endanger the health of the pupils.
17-3113.* Drills shall be executed at different hours of the day or
evening; during the changing of classes; when the school is at
assembly; during the recess or gymnastic periods, etc., so as to
avoid distinction between drills and actual fires. If a drill is called
when pupils are going up and down the stairways, as during the
699
OPERATING FEATURES 101-161
time classes are changing, the pupils shall be instructed to form in

file and immediately proceed to the nearest available exit in an
orderly manner.
17-3114.* Every fire exit drill shall be an exercise in school m a n -

agement for principal and teachers, with the chief purpose of every
drill complete control of the class so that the teacher will form its
ranks quickly and silently, may halt it, turn it, or direct it as de-
sired. Great stress shall be laid upon the execution of each drill in a
brisk, quiet, and orderly manner. Running shall be. prohibited.
In case there are pupils incapable of holding their places in a line
moving at a reasonable speed, provisions shall be made to have
them taken care of by the more sturdy pupils, moving independently
of the regular line of march.
17-3115. Monitors shall be appointed from the more mature pupils

to assist in the proper execution of all drills. They shall be in-
structed to hold open doors iq the line of march or to close doors
where necessary to prevent spread of fire or smoke, as per 5-2135.
There shall be at least 2 substitutes for each appointment so as to
provide for proper performance in case of absence of the regular
monitors. T h e searching of toilet or other rooms shall be the duty
of the teachers or other members of the staff. If the teachers are to
do the searching, it should be done after they have joined their
classes to the preceding lines.
17-3116. As all drills simulate an actual fire condition, pupils shall

not be allowed to obtain clothing, after the alarm is sounded, even
when in home rooms, on account of the confusion which would
result in forming the lines and the danger of tripping over dragging
apparel.
17-3117. Each class or group shall proceed to a predetermined

point outside the building and remain there while a check is made
to sec that all are accounted for, leaving only when a recall signal is
given to return to the building, or when dismissed. Such points
shall be sufficiently far away from the building and from each
other as to avoid danger from any fire in the building, any inter-
ference with fire department operations, or any confusion between
different classes or groups.
17-3118.* Where necessary for drill lines to cross roadways, signs

reading " S T O P [ S C H O O L F I R E D R I L L " or equivalent, shall
be carried by monitors to the traffic intersecting points in order
to stop traffic during the period of the drill.
700
17-312. Signals
17-3121. All fire exit drill alarms shall be sounded on the fire
alarm system and not on the signal system used to dismiss classes.
17-3122. Whenever any of the school authorities determine that
an actual fire exists, they shall immediately call the local fire de-
partment using the public fire alarm system or such other facilities
as are available.
17-3123. In order that pupils will not be returned to a building
which is burning, the recall signal shall be one that is separate and
distinct from and cannot be mistaken for any other signals. Such
signals may be given by distinctive colored flags or banners. If
the recall signal is electrical, the push buttons or other controls
shall be kept under lock, the key for which shall be in the possession
of the principal or some other designated person in order to prevent
a recall at a time when there is a fire. Regardless of the method of
recall, the means of giving the signal shall be kept under a lock.
17-313. Inspection•
17-3131.* It shall be the duty of principals and teachers to inspect
all exit facilities daily in order to make sure that all stairways,
doors, and other exits are in proper condition.
S E C T I O N 17-4.* I N S T I T U T I O N A L O C C U P A N C I E S
17-411. Attendants, Evacuation Plan, Fire Exit Drills

17-4111.* The administration of every hospital and nursing home
shall have in effect and available to all supervisory personnel written
copies of a plan for the protection of all persons in the event of fire
and for their evacuation to areas of refuge and from the building
when necessary. All employees shall be instructed and kept in-
formed respecting their duties under the plan. The provisions of
17-4113 to 17-4127 inclusive shall apply and fire exit drills shall
be held at reasonable intervals.
17-4112. Every bed intended for use by institutional occupants
shall be easily movable under conditions of evacuation and shall be
equipped with the type and size easters to allow easy mobility,
especially over elements of the structure such as expansion plates
and elevator thresholds. The authority having jurisdiction may make
exceptions in the equipping of beds intended for use in areas limited
to patients such as convalescent, self-care, or psychiatric patients.
701
OPERATING FEATURES 101-163
If the movement of patients in their beds is not feasible, every m a t -

tress shall be provided with handles so secured as to permit the mat-
t r e s s t o s e r v e a s a stretcher when necessary for evacuation.
17-4113.* Fire exit drills in hospitals shall include the transmission

of a fire alarm signal and simulation of emergency fire conditions
except that the movement of infirm or bed-ridden patients to safe
areas or to the exterior of the building is not required. Drills shall
be conducted at irregular intervals during day and night to fa-
miliarize hospital personnel (nurses, internes, maintenance engi-
neers, and administrative staff) with signals and emergency action
required under varied conditions. At least 12 drills shall be held
every year.
17-412. P r o c e d u r e in Case of Fire
17-4121. The person discovering a fire shall immediately send an

alarm from the nearest fire alarm box with the least disturbance
and commotion and shall see that all doors adjacent to the fire
are closed.
17-4122. He shall advise another employee of location of fire, who
in turn shall confirm the original alarm to the main office, and
who shall join the discoverer near the fire.
17-4123. The discoverer shall immediately return to the scene of
fire, if possible, and attempt to extinguish it with first aid appliances
available.
17-4124. Those first responding to the fire, together with the alarm-
ists, constitute the first fire defense. They shall strive to extinguish
the blaze with the least confusion and annoyance to adjacent
sections. Instructions should be " K E E P Y O U R H E A D AND D O
N O T Q U I T , even though unsuccessful, but endeavor to check
spread until arrival of the fire department."
17-4125.* The next arrivals, other than actually engaged in fire
fighting, and simultaneously with that work, constitute monitors
pro tern. They shall remove patients through horizontal exits to ad-
jacent sections away from the fire. Certain of these monitors shall
remain with their charges, in readiness to conduct them still farther
distant from the source of danger. Any surplus monitors shall re-
turn to check up delinquents and serve as guards in the involved
section.
17-4126. Other arrivals at the fire are guards whose duty it shall
be to reassure and endeavor to quiet bed patients in the immediate
702
101-164 LX~E SAFETY CODE
zone of fire or smoke, and proceed to move the beds of the more
seriously excitable to points of vantage in the event of the need for
evacuation. By this time, assistance of monitors should be available,
and an adequate force must stand guard for this emergency.
17-4127. If the fire is uncontrollable, or has developed a bad smoke
hazard, all available guards, monitors, and firemen shall move
patients out of the sections involved by rolling or sliding their beds
or mattresses through horizontal exits or down ramps where avail-
able; or, as a last resort, if required by continued fire and smoke
spread in the sections vacated, by carrying patients in mattresses
down stair towers and to the outside.
17-413. Locks on Exit Doors

17-4131. Frequent inspection and proper maintenance shall be
provided to insure the dependability of the method of evacuation
selected. Institutions which find it necessary to lock exits shall at
all times maintain an adequate staff qualified to release and conduct
occupants from the immediate danger area to a place of safety in
case of fire or other emergency. Where patient room doors are
lucked, attendants shall carry keys to these doors, or have them
instantly available.
17-414. Smoking
17-4141.* Smoking regulations shall be adopted and shall include
the following minimal provisions:
a. Smoking shall be prohibited in any room, ward, or compart-
ment where flammable liquids, combustible gases, or oxygen are
used or stored and in any other hazardous location. Such areas
shall be posted with " N O S M O K I N G " signs.
b. Smoking by patients classified as not responsible shall be pro-
hibited.
c. Ash trays of noncombustible material and safe design shall be
provided in all areas where smoking is permitted.
d. Metal containers with self-closing cover devices shall be pro-
vided in all areas where smoking is permitted.
17-415. Draperies
17-4151.* All combustible draperies, cubicle curtains, and cur-
tains for decorative and acoustical purposes shall be rendered and
maintained flameproof.
OPERATING FEATURES
7O3
101-165
17-416. Furnishings a n d Decorations

17-4161. F u r n i s h i n g s a n d decorations in institutional occupancies
shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of 17-12.
S E C T I O N 17-5. R E S I D E N T I A L O C C U P A N C I E S
17-51. H O T E L E M E R G E N C Y O R G A N I Z A T I O N
17-5111.* All employees of hotels shall be instructed a n d drilled
in the duties they are to perform in event of fire, panic, or other
emergency.
17-5112.* Drills of the emergency organization shall be held at
m o n t h l y intervals, covering such points as the operation a n d
m a i n t e n a n c e of the available first aid fire appliances, the testing
of guest alerting devices, a n d a study of instructions for emergency
duties.
17-512. E m e r g e n c y Duties
17-5121. U p o n discovery of fire, some or all of these duties will

become immediately imperative, the n u m b e r and sequence d e p e n d -
ing u p o n the exact situation e n c o u n t e r e d - -
Alarms
Notify office.
Notify public fire department.
Notify private fire brigade.
Guests
Warn guests or others who are or may become endangered.
Assist occupants to safety, with special attention to aged, infirm, or
otherwise incapacitated persons.
Search rooms to be sure all occupants have escaped.
Man all elevators (including those of automatic type) with com-
petent operators.
Extinguishment
Extinguish or control the fire, using available first aid equipment.
Send messenger to meet public fire department upon arrival in order
to direct latter to exact location of fire. (The public fire depart-
ment is in full command upon arrival.)
704
Special Equipment
Fire Pumps - - stand by for instant operation.
Ventilating Equipment - - in case of dense smoke, stand by, operate
under proper instructions, to clear area affected.
Refrigerating Equipment - - if machines are definitely endangered,
shut them down and blow refrigerant to sewer or atmosphere
to prevent explosion.
Generators and Motors - - protect against water damage with tar-
paulins - - shut down motors not needed - - keep generators op-
erating to furnish lights, elevator power, etc.
Boilers - - if necessary to abandon boiler room, extinguish or dump
fire and lower steam pressure by blowing to sewer or atmos-
phere to prevent possible explosion.
17-52. DORMITORIES
17-521. Drills
1 7 - 5 2 1 1 . F i r e exit drills shall be regularly conducted in ac-

c o r d a n c e w i t h 17-11.
SECTION 17-6. MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
17-611. Drills
1 7 - 6 1 1 1 . I n e v e r y Class A store, e m p l o y e e s shall be r e g u l a r l y

t r a i n e d in fire exit drill p r o c e d u r e s , in g e n e r a l c o n f o r m a n c e w i t h
17-11.
SECTION 17-7. OFFICE OCCUPANCIES
17-711. Drills
1 7 - 7 1 1 1 . I n a n y b u i l d i n g subject to o c c u p a n c y by m o r e t h a n 500
persons or m o r e t h a n 100 a b o v e or b e l o w the street level, e m -
ployees a n d s u p e r v i s o r y p e r s o n n e l shall be i n s t r u c t e d in fire exit
drill p r o c e d u r e s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h 17-11 a n d shall h o l d p r a c t i c e
drills p e r i o d i c a l l y w h e r e p r a c t i c a b l e .
OPERATING FEATURES
705
101-167
S E C T I O N 17-8. GENERAL INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCY
17-811. Drills
17-8111. In any building subject to occupancy by more than 500
persons or more than 100 persons above or below the street level,
employees and supervisory personnel shall be instructed in fire
exit drill procedures in accordance with Section 17-11 and shall
hold practice drills periodically where practicable.
706
101-168
A P P E N D I X A.
T h e following notes b e a r i n g t h e s a m e n u m b e r as t h e text of the Life Safety

C o d e to w h i c h they apply, c o n t a i n useful e x p l a n a t o r y material a n d references
to standards.
CHAPTER 2
A - 2 - 1 1 2 0 . T h e provisions of this C o d e will not necessarily provide a building
suitable for use by physically h a n d i c a p p e d people. Reference is m a d e to t h e
A m e r i c a n S t a n d a r d Specillcations for M a k i n g Buildings a n d Facilities Ac-
cessible to a n d Usable by t h e Physically H a n d i c a p p e d , A.S.A. A117.1-1961.
A - 2 - 2 1 2 L Fatal fires have occurred w h e n a required stairway has been closed
for repairs or r e m o v e d for rebuilding, w h e n a required a u t o m a t i c sprinkler
s y s t e m has been s h u t off to c h a n g e piping, etc., etc.
A - 2 - 3 1 1 2 . A t t e n t i o n is directed to the value of a regular p r o g r a m of inspec-
tion to assure proper m a i n t e n a n c e . Such inspection m a y be so-called "self-
inspection" by o c c u p a n t s or outside inspection s u c h as by a fire marshal, lire
d e p a r t m e n t , building d e p a r t m e n t , i n s u r a n c e organization, or preferably both.
CHAPTER 4
A - 4 - 1 1 1 . A detailed b r e a k d o w n of o c c u p a n c y classification is available from
t h e National Fire Protection Association.
A - 4 - 1 1 2 . S u c h occupancies are characterized by the presence or potentfal
presence of crowds, with a t t e n d a n t panic h a z a r d in case of fire or o t h e r emer-
gency. T h e y are generally open to the public, or m a y on occasions be open to
the public, a n d the o c c u p a n t s present voluntarily, are not ordinarily subject to
discipline or control. Such buildings are ordinarily occupied by able-bodied
persons, a n d are not used for sleeping purposes.
A - 4 - 1 1 3 . Educational o c c u p a n c y is distinguished from assembly in that the
s a m e o c c u p a n t s are regularly present a n d they are subject to discipline a n d
control.
A - 4 - 1 1 6 . Office, storage, a n d service facilities incidental to the sale of mer-
c h a n d i s e a n d located in the s a m e building are iocluded with mercantile oc-
cupancy.
A - 4 - 1 1 7 . Doctors a n d dentists offices are included unless of such c h a r a c t e r as
to be classified as hospitals. Service facilities usual to city office buildings such
as newsstands, l u n c h counters serving less t h a n 100 persons, b a r b e r shops a n d
b e a u t y parlors are included in this o c c u p a n c y group.
City halls, town halls, court houses, a n d libraries are included in this oc-
c u p a n c y g r o u p in so far as their principal function is the transaction of public
business a n d the keeping of books a n d records; in so far as used for assembly
purposes they are classed as places of assembly.
A--4-119. Storage properties are chakacterized by the presence of relatively
small n u m b e r s of persons in proportion to the area; a n y new use w h i c h increases
the n u m b e r of o c c u p a n t s to a figure c o m p a r a b l e with other classes of o c c u p a n c y
c h a n g e s t h e classification of the building to that of the new use.
NOTF_~
707
101--169
A - 4 - 2 1 1 2 . U n d e r this provision a n y violation of t h e interior finish require-

m e n t s of Section 6 - 2 would automatically also involve violation of other sec-
tions of t h e Code unless additional exit facilities a p p r o p r i a t e for high h a z a r d
contents were provided.
A - 4 - 2 1 1 3 . U n d e r this provision a n y violation of t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of C h a p t e r s

8 t h r o u g h 16 for segregation or protection of h a z a r d o u s operation or storage
would automatically also involve violation of the other sections of the Code
unless:additional exit facilities appropriate to high h a z a r d contents were provided.
A - 4 - 2 1 2 2 . Chapter-'15, !Storage, recognizes as low h a z a r d , storage of non-

c o m b u s t i b l e materials. I n other occupancies it is a s s u m e d t h a t even w h e r e the
actual contents h a z a r d m a y normally be low, there is sufficient likelihood that
s o m e c o m b u s t i b l e material or h a z a r d o u s operation will be introduced in con-
nection with building repair or m a i n t e n a n c e , or t h a t s o m e psychological factor
m i g h t create conditions c o n d u c i v e to panic, so t h a t t h e exit facilities c a n n o t
safely be reduced below those specified for ordinary h a z a r d contents.
A - 4 - 2 1 2 3 . H i g h h a z a r d contents m a y include occupancies w h e r e gasoline a n d

other f l a m m a b l e liquids arc h a n d l e d , used, or are stored u n d e r s u c h conditions
as to involve possible releasc of f l a m m a b l e vapors; w h e r e g r a i n dust, wood flour
or plastic dusts, a l u m i n u m or m a g n e s i u m dust, or other explosive dusts m a y be
p r o d u c e d ; w h e r a h a z a r d o u s chemicals or explosives are m a n u f a c t u r e d , stored,
or h a n d l e d ; where cotton or other c o m b u s t i b l e fibers are processed or h a n d l e d
u n d e r conditions such as to p r o d u c e f l a m m a b l e flyings, a n d o t h e r situations of
similar hazard.
C h a p t e r 14, Industrial Occupancies, a n d C h a p t e r 15, Storage, include de-
tailed provision on high h a z a r d contents.
A--4-2124. T h i s classification represents the conditions found in most buildings,

a n d is the basis for the general r e q u i r e m e n t s of this Code.
T h e fear of poisonous fumes or explosions is necessarily a relative matter,
to be d e t e r m i n e d on a j u d g m e n t basis. All smoke contains s o m e toxic fire
gases, b u t u n d e r conditions of ordinary hazard there should be no u n d u e
d a n g e r of d a n g e r o u s exposure d u r i n g the period necessary to escape from the
fire area, a s s u m i n g proper exits.
A - 4 - 2 1 3 1 . Seventy-five feet can be traversed in a p p r o x i m a t e l y 10 to 15

seconds, even allowing for s o m e m o m e n t a r y delay in decision as to which way
to go, d u r i n g w h i c h it m a y be a s s u m e d that a n o r m a l individual c a n hold his
breath.
CHAPTER 5
A - 5 - 1 1 2 . In case of a stairway, t h e exit includes t h e door to the stairway en-

closure, stairs a n d landings inside the enclosure, the door from the stairway en-
closure to the street or open air, or any passageway a n d door necessary to pro-
vide a p a t h of travel from the stairway enclosure to the street nr open air. In
case of a door leading directly from the street floor to t h e street or open air the
exit comprises only the doorway.
Doors of small individual rooms, as in hotels, while constituting m e a n s of
escape from the room, are not referred to as exits except w h e n they lead di-
rectly to the outside of t h e building or o t h e r place of safety, b u t in a large room,
such as a school a u d i t o r i u m , the doors constitute a n integral part of the exit
system a n d are referred to as exits from the room. A n interior aisle, corridor or
708
hallway used to r e a c h a stair or door exit is not an exit except w h e r e it is so

located, a r r a n g e d , a n d enclosed as to constitute a n integral part of a system
of travel.
A - 5 - 1 1 3 . Portable ladders, rope fire escapes, a n d similar e m e r g e n c y escape

devices m a y h a v e a useful function in facilitating escape from b u r n i n g buildings
lacking a d e q u a t e exits of the stair or other s t a n d a r d type, b u t they are not the
equivalent of s t a n d a r d exits a n d their use is not in a n y w a y recognized by this
Code. S u c h devices m a y give a false sense of security a n d be m a d e a n excuse
for not providing s t a n d a r d exit facilities. F u r t h e r m o r e , m a n y s u c h portable
devices are of types quite u n s u i t e d to use by aged or infirm persons or by small
children.
Elevators h a v e a capacity roughly equivalent to 3 average elevators for 1
unit of stairway width, a n d h a v e been recognized as required exits by prior
editions of the Life Safety Code u n d e r certain limited conditions. No such
credit is given in this edition because of s o m e i n h e r e n t characteristics which
m a y m a k e t h e m u n s u i t a b l e for e m e r g e n c y exit use, such chracteristics being
a c c e n t u a t e d in m o d e r n a u t o m a t i c elevators w h e r e no operator is available to
exercise j u d g m e n t in the control of the elevator in case of fire or other emergency.
Some of t h e reasons w h y elevators are not recognized as required exits are
s u m m a r i z e d in the,following p a r a g r a p h s .
Persons seeking to escape from a fire by m e a n s of a n elevator m a y have to
walt at t h e elevator door for s o m e time, d u r i n g w h i c h they ,nay be exposed to
fire or smoke, or panic m a y develop.
A u t o m a t i c elevators respond to the pressing of b u t t o n s in such a w a y that it
would be quite possible for an elevator in use for descent from floors above a fire
to stop a u t o m a t i c a l l y at the floor involved in the fire a n d the doors to open
automatically exposing o c c u p a n t s to fire a n d smoke.
M o d e r n elevators c a n n o t start until doors are fully closed a n d a large n u m b e r
of people seeking to crowd into an elevator in case of e m e r g e n c y m i g h t m a k e it
impossible to start.
A n y power failure, s u c h as the b u r n i n g out of electric supply cables d u r i n g a
fire, m a y r e n d e r the elevators inoperative or m i g h t result in t r a p p i n g persons in
elevators stopped between floors a n d u n d e r fire conditions there m i g h t not be
time to p e r m i t rescue of t r a p p e d occupants t h r o u g h e m e r g e n c y escape hatches
or doors.
Notwithstanding thc abovc limitations of clcvators for cmergcncy exit pur-
poses, they m a y serve an i m p o r t a n t function as a s u p p l e m e n t a l facility, particu-
larly in occupancies s u c h as hospitals. Elevators are also i m p o r t a n t lor very
high buildings or deep u n d e r g r o u n d spaces w h e r e travel over considerable
vertical distance on stairs m i g h t be such as to cause collapse of persons not
a c c u s t o m e d to s u c h physical effort before they reach t h e street.
I n such cases required exits such as stairs or horizontal exits m a y be used to
escape from the area of i m m e d i a t e d a n g e r in a tire, a n d elevators used to com-
plete t h e travel to the street. It m a y reasonably be a s s u m e d that in all buildings
of sufficient height to indicate the need for elevators as s u p p l e m e n t a r y exit fa-
cilities, elevators will be provided for n o r m a l uses a n d for this reason no require-
m e n t for t h e installation of elevators is included in the Life Safety Code.
A - 5 - 1 1 5 1 . T h e 22-inch unit of exit width represents t h e average space found

necessary for the free passage of 1_ file of persons.
M e a s u r e m e n t of exit width in terms of units representing the w i d t h occupied
by I person, rather t h a n m e a s u r e m e n t in feet a n d inches is a n i m p o r t a n t con-
cept of the Life Safety Code. M e a s u r e m e n t in feet m a y in some eases involve
additional expense in building construction without corresponding increase in
safety. For e x a m p l e , a 44-inch stairway comfortably a c c o m m o d a t e s 2 files of
NOTES
709
101--171
people; a d d i n g 4 inches to m a k e a 4-foot stairway does not increase the cal~acity

of t h e stairway. However, it has been s h o w n by c o u n t of stairway flows that
a d d i n g 12 inches to a 44-inch stairway does increase t h e flow of people, in effect
p e r m i t t i n g a n i n t e r m e d i a t e staggered file.
A - 5 - 1 1 5 2 . Handrails, at a p p r o x i m a t e l y waist height, do not actually restrict

t h e effective width of exits. Door j a m b s , while actually restricting the width,
d u e p e r h a p s to psychological factors do not a p p e a r to h a v e a n y significant
effect on t h e utilization of exits. T h i s m a y be because everyone uses doors a n d
is a c c u s t o m e d to the slight reduction in width of the p a t h of travel at the point
of passing t h r o u g h a dooway, a n d instinctively turns or squeezes t h r o u g h in a
w a y w h i c h would not occur in the case of a narrow stairway or passage, w h e r e the
feeling of restricted space m i g h t be c o n d u c i v e to panic u n d e r fire conditions.
A n y projection, radiator, pipe, or other object t h a t extends into a corridor,
irrespective of width, is undesirable, particularly w h e r e large crowds m u s t be
accommodated.
A - 5 - 1 1 6 1 . T h e n o r m a l designed o c c u p a n c y load is not necessarily a suitable

criterion, as t h e greatest h a z a r d m a y occur w h e n an u n u s u a l crowd is present,
a condition often difficult for authorities h a v i n g jurisdiction to control by regula-
tory measures. T h e principle of this C o d e is to provide exits for t h e m a x i m u m
probable n u m b e r of occupants, rather t h a n to a t t e m p t to limit n u m b e r of occu.
p a n t s to a figure c o m m e n s u r a t e with available exits; there are, however, limits
of o c c u p a n c y specified in certain special cases for other reasons.
T h e following table represents a compilation of the population densities speci-
fied by the individual occupancies of C h a p t e r s 8 t h r o u g h 16.
T h e s e figures, based on counts of typical buildings, represent the average
m a x i m u m density of occupancy.
Sq. ft.
Occupancy Per Person
Places of assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 net
Areas of concentrated use w i t h o u t fixed seating . . . . . . . 7 net
S t a n d i n g space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 net
Store, street floor a n d sales b a s e m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 gross
O t h e r floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 gross
Storage, shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 gross
Educational occupancies
Classroom area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 net
Shops a n d other vocational areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 net
Office, factory a n d workroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 gross
Hotel a n d a p a r t m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 gross
Institutional
Sleeping d e p a r t m e n t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 gross
In-patient u e p a r t m e n t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 gross
A - 5 - 1 1 7 1 . T h i s Code generally requires at least 2 exits, b u t specifies conditions

where 1 m e a n s of egress is all that c a n reasonably be required in the interest
of public safety.
A - 5 - 1 1 8 1 . T h e n a t u r a l p a t h of travel will be influenced by the contents a n d

o c c u p a n c y of the building. Furniture, fixtures, m a c h i n e r y , or storage m a y
serve to increase the length of travel. It is good practice in building design to
recognize this by spacing exits at closer intervals t h a n w o u l d be needed for a
completely open floor area, thus reducing the h a z a r d of excessive travel distances
d u e to introduction of furniture, fixtures, m a c h i n e r y , or storage, a n d m i n i m i z i n g
the d a n g e r of violation of the travel-distance r e q u i r e m e n t s of this Code.
710
T h i s is intended to represent the actual p a t h of travel of a person. T h e start

at 1 foot from t h e wall represents t h e center of a person.
A - 5 - 1 1 9 . T h e following table is a compilation of the r e q u i r e m e n t s of the in-

dividual o c c u p a n c y (Chapters 8 t h r o u g h 16) for length of d e a d - e n d corridors
a n d permissible length of travel to at least one of the required exits.
A d e a d e n d occurs w h e n a hallway or other space is so a r r a n g e d that a per-
son therein is able to travel in one direction only in order to reach a n y of the
exits. A l t h o u g h relatively short dead ends are p e r m i t t e d by this Code, it is
better practice to eliminate t h e m as far as possible as they increase the d a n g e r
of persons being t r a p p e d in case of fire. C o m p l i a n c e with the d e a d - e n d limits
does not necessarily m e a n that the r e q u i r e m e n t s for remoteness of exits have
been met. T h i s is particularly true in small buildings or buildings with short
public hallways. A d e q u a t e remoteness c a n be obtained in such cases by further
reducing the length of dead ends.
TABLE OF EXIT DISTANCES
~e Dead End Travel Limit to an F.xit

ccupancy Limb Unsprinklered Sprinklered
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY N.R.* 150 b 200
EDUCATIONAL 20 150 200

O p e n Plan N.R." 100 b
INSTITUTIONAL
New 30 100 150
Existing N.R. 100 150
RESIDENTIAL
A. Hotels 35 100 150
. Apartments 35 100 150
• Dormitories 0 100 150
D. L o d g i n g or R o o m i n g Houses,
1- & 2-Family Dwellings N.R.~ N.R: N.R. .
MERCANTILE
Class A, B & C 50 100 150
O p e n Air 0 N.R. ~ N.R. .
OFFICE 50 200 300
INDUSTRIAL
A. General, a n d
B. Special Purpose 50 100 150 o
C. H i g h H a z a r d 0 75 75
D. O p e n Structures N.R. o N.R. . N.R. B
NOTES
711
101--173
T A B L E O F E X I T D I S T A N C E S (Continued)
Type of Dead End Travel Limit to, an Exit

ccupancy Limit Unsprinklered Sprinklered
I
STORAGE
Low & O r d i n a r y H a z a r d Y.g. a N°R. a N,Ro ~
High Hazard N.R. ~ 75 100
Parking Garages 50 100 150 a
Aircraft Hangars, G r o u n d Floor N.R. ~ Varies ° Varies °
Aircraft Hangars,
Mezzanine Floor N.R. ~ 75 75
Grain Elevators, Miscellaneous
Occupancies, Towers, Piers &
W a t e r Surrounded Structures,
Vehicles & Vessels & Emer-
gency Shelters N.R. ~ N.R. ~ N.R. ~
No requirement or not applicable.

b Authority having jurisdiction may g r a n t variance (see 9-2161).
o A special exception is made in 14-2162 for 1-story sprinklered industrial
occupancies.
d i 5-2213 further limits distance of travel on floors below the street in sprin-
Idered garages to 100 feet.
° See 15-3111 for special requirements.
A - 5 - 1 2 0 4 . Doors leading through wall panelling which harmonize in appear-
ance with the rest of the wall so ,as to avoid detracting from some desiredaes-
thetic or decorative effect are not acceptable, as casual occupants may not be
aware of such exits even though actually visible.
A-5-1221. A n exit from the upper stories, in which the direction of exit travel
is generally downward, should not bc arranged so that it is necessary to change
over to travel in an upward direction at any point before discharging to the
outside. A similar prohibition or reversal of the vertical component of travel
should bc applied to exits from bascmcnts and other stories below grade. H o w -
ever, an exception is permissible in the case of stairs used in connection with
overhead or undcrfloor exit passageways which serve the street floor only.
It is important that amplc roadways bc available from buildings in which
there arc large numbers of occupants so that exits will not bc blocked by persons
already outside. T w o or more avenues of departure should bc available for all
but very small places. Location of a large theater, for example, on a narrow
dead-cad street m a y propcrly bc prohibitcd by the attthority having juris-
diction under this rule unless some alternate way of travel to another street is
available.
W h e r e exits discharge into yards or opcn courts there should bc no fences,
automobile parking, or othcr obstruction to frcc travel away from the exit.
Curbs or other barriers to prevent automobile parking from encroaching on
the space nccdcd for fire exit travel m a y be deslrablc to facilitateobservance
of this i'ule.
A-5-2121. Types of doors which arc designed to prevent spread of firethrough
wall openings arc not necessarily suitable for use on exits, and some types m a y
involve a personal injury hazard if used on exits.
W h e r e doors arc subject to 2-way traffic,a desirable practice is to locate a small
wired glass panel in the door in the interest of avoidance of accidents.
See other sections of the Code suchas 5-1202 and 5-5143 for special treat.
meat for the direction of swing of doors used as exit access and doors used in
horizontal exits.
712
A-5-2131. Where for operating reasons it may be undesirable to allow un-

restricted communications through exit doors, alarm devices may be provided
which will sound when doors are opened. Control of use of exits may also be
facilitated by telltale devices which will give indication that doors have been
opened. Where circumstances require more rigid control than can bc secured
by these methods, continuous personal supervision may bc necessary, as any
mechanical or electrical locking method to prevent improper use of exits is
likely to interfere with their availability in any actual fire.
A-5-2132. This requirement may be satisfied by the use of conventional types

of hardware, whereby the door is released by the turning of a knob or handle,
or pushing against a panic bar, but not by unfamiliar methods of operation
such as a blow to break glass.
A-5-2161. A desirable practice is to have panic bars two-thirds the width of
the door, located on the latch side.
A-5-2191. There are various methods by which the function of screen or storm
doors may be provided without having any door swing against the exit travel.
A scre.n or storm door may be used in the same doorway with an ordinary
door by means of a vestibule of sufficient size as to permit the inner door to
swing outwardly without interfering with the operation of the door at the other
end of the vestibule.
A jalousie door, with a screen or storm sash panel, provides the function of
both a regular door and screen or storm sash, allin a single unit.
A-5-2202. The one-half unit rating here specified is based upon operation of
the door in normal revolving position, where only one side is used for travel in
one direction, and the rotating leaves of the door may slow the rate of travel to
about half of that through an unobstructed door opening of the same width as
one leaf of the revolving door. Collapsible revolving doors, while better than
fixed leaf doors, are not given any increased rating in units of exit width, be-
cause if the setting is such as to prevent accidental collapse of leaves in normal
operation their free collapse in case of emergency may be doubtful.
A-5-2204. A rate of 12 revolutions per minute is recommended.
A - 5 - 2 2 U . Turnstiles placed in subway or other rapid transit stations and other
places of assembly to prevent the entrance of persons without paying fare or
admission fee may be a serious obstruction to rapid egress in case of fire or other
emergency, even though such turnstiles arc designed to permit persons to leave.
Multiple bar turnstiles designed to prevent persons from crawling over, under,
or around the bars are more objectionable than single bar turnstiles, such as
the coin-operated type, but any type of turnstile involves some interference
with egress. Where turnstiles are used, required exit facilities may be pro-
vided by alternate exits of swinging gate type, with visual supervision by em-
ployees to prevent improper use.
A - 5 - 5 U l . Horizontal exits should not be confused with egress through doors
in smokestop partitions. Smokestop doors are designed only for temporary
protection against smoke, whereas horizontal exits provide protection against
serious fire for a relatively long period of time in addition to providing im-
mediate protection from smoke.
A-5-5112. Example: A department store building 270 feet by 210 feet (popu-
lation 9.45 per floor) would be required b~' this Code to have exits from the
upper floors sufficient to furnish 16 units olexit width. This would ordinarily
require 8 44-inch stairways.
713
NOTES 101-175
A s s u m e now this building is divided by a fire wall into 2 sections, each 135
feet by 210 feet, with doors t h r o u g h t h e wall furnishing horizontal exits. Each
section, considered separately, will require 4 2-unit exits. T h e horizontal exits
will serve as 2 of the 4 exits required for each section, a n d only 2 s t a k w a y s will
be required for each section if the exits c a n be a r r a n g e d to meet the require-
m e n t s for the 150-foot distance from a n y point w h i c h c a n be done in a sprin-
klered building. T h u s the total n u m b e r of stairways required for the building
will be 4, as c o m p a r e d with 8 if no horizontal exit is provided. However, if the
building were further subdivided by a second fire wall with fire doors on open-
ings, no further reduction in stairways would be permitted.
A - 5 - 5 1 3 7 . O n e or 2 steps at a doorway are considered to constitute an acci-

dent h a z a r d in e m e r g e n c y use. Stairways with level landings between door a n d
stair are satisfactory.
A - 5 - 5 1 4 2 . N F P A S t a n d a r d No. 80, Fire Doors a n d Windows, covers t h e in-

staUation of fire doors.
A - 5 - 5 1 4 3 . T h e c u s t o m a r y r e q u i r e m e n t of building codes for fire doors on both

sides of a n o p e n i n g in a fire wall m a y be met by h a v i n g an a u t o m a t i c sliding
fire door on one side, a n d a self-closing fire door swinging out from the other side
of t h e wall. T h i s a r r a n g e m e n t qualifies only as a horizontal exit from the side
of the sliding door.
A - 5 - 5 1 4 4 . A u t o m a t i c doors as often installed covering the entire cross section

of a building corridor do not qualify as horizontal exits u n d e r these provisions,
as d a n g e r o u s quantities of s m o k e m i g h t pass t h r o u g h t h e corridor before there
is sufficient h e a t to close the door.
A u t o m a t i c sliding doors are also open to the objection t h a t once closed they
are difficult to open, a n d thus m a y trap people b e h i n d t b e m in the absence of
other available m e a n s of escape.
A - 5 - 6 1 3 3 . T h i s is to prohibit closets a n d similar spaces u n d e r ramps. It is

not to be interpreted to prohibit an enclosed r a m p b e n e a t h a n o t h e r fltght.
A - 5 - 7 1 L An exit passageway serves as a horizontal m e a n s of exit travel that

is protected from fire in a m a n n e r similar to a n enclosed interior exit stair. W b e r e
it • desired to offset exit stairs in a multistory building, an exit p:cssageway c a n
be used to preserve the continuity of the protected exit by connecting the b o t t o m
of o n e stair to the top of the other stair that continues to tbe street floor. Prob-
ably the most i m p o r t a n t use of an exit passageway is to satisfy the r e q u i r e m e n t
that exit stairs shall discbarge directly outside from multistory buildings. T h u s ,
ff it is impractical to locate the stair on an exterior wall, an exit p ~ s a g e w a y c a n
be connected to the b o t t o m of the stair to convey the occupants safely to an
outside exit door. In buildings of extremely large area, s u c h .as s h o p p i n g malls
a n d s o m e factories, the exit passageway c a n be used to a d v a n t a g e w h e r e the
distance of travel to reach an exit would otherwise be excessive. E x i t passage-
ways are different from access aisles, corridors, a n d hallways because the latter
are not required to be protected by a fire-resistive enclosure.
A - 5 - 8 1 1 1 . C h a p t e r s 8 t h r o u g h 16 include provisions on the use of escalators

as exits in various occupancies. T h e y are not recognized as required exits in
educational a n d institutional occupancies, residential occupancies other t h a n
hotels, or storage occupancies. 'Escalators as c o , n m o n l y installed in most oc-
cupancies are not so a r r a n g e d a n d protected as to qualify as required exits.
However, in mercantile occupancies w h e r e open stairs to second floor or base-
714
i
m e n t are permitted u n d e r specified conditions, open escalators m a y serve on t h e
s a m e basis as open stairways to provide a p a t h of travel to r e a c h a n outside
exit. See Section 5-8 for details.
A - 5 - 8 1 1 2 . Persons seeking to leave a building are likely to try to leave by t h e

s a m e r o u t e by w h i c h they entered. For this reason, other exits, with u n m i s t a k -
able p a t h of travel to r e a c h t h e m from the vicinity of the escalator, are essential
in case fire or smoke should block the escalator.
A - 5 - 8 1 2 1 . It is a s s u m e d that w h e r e escalators serve as required exits they will

be c o n t i n u e d in operation in case of fire, b u t t h a t in case they stop d u e to
electric c u r r e n t failure or o t h e r cause they m a y be used as o r d i n a r y stairs.
A - 5 - 8 1 2 8 . See A m e r i c a n S t a n d a r d Safety Code for Elevators, D u m b w a i t e r s ,

a n d Escalators, A.S.A. AI7.1.
A - 5 - 8 1 3 3 . See A m e r i c a n S t a n d a r d Safety C o d e Rules for M o v i n g Walks,

A.S.A. A17.1.13.
A - 5 - 9 1 1 1 . Fire escape stairs as specified in this section of the C o d e should not

be confused with outside stairs as covered in Section 5-4.
Fire escape stairs are regarded as at best only an expedient to r e m e d y de-
ficiencies in t h e exits of existing buildings w h e r e it m a y not be practicable to
provide additional inside stairways, properly enclosed a n d conforming to all
o t h e r provisions of this Code or outside stairs. Fire escape stairs, however,
m a y greatly facilitate fire d e p a r t m e n t rescue a n d fire fighting operations.
T h e fire escape stairs specified by this Code should not be confused with
t h e inferior fire escapes w h i c h are c o m m o n l y found on old buildings. T h e s e
Utterly i n a d e q u a t e , flimsy, precipitous fire escapes, unshielded against fire in
the s t r u c t u r e to w h i c h they are attached, arc positively a m e n a c e because they
give a false sense of security. Such escapes are not recognized by this Code as
exits.
E v e n t h e superior fire escape stairs constructed in accordance with this
C o d e have limitations w h i c h ,nay prevent their effective use in time of fire.
Even w h e r e window protection is provided conditions m a y be such that fire
(or the smoke from fire) on lower floors m a y render the stairs impassable before
t h e o c c u p a n t s of u p p e r stories have h a d time to use them. Fire escape stairs
m a y be blocked by snow, ice or sleet at the time w h e n they are most needed.
Persons using fire escape stairs at a considerable height are likely to be timid
a n d to descend the stairs, if at all, at a rate m u c h slower t h a n that which obtains
on stairs inside buildings. T h i s applies to s o m e extent even with the solid tread
stairs w h i c h are specified by this C o d e in place of the ordinary slatted tread
construction. Fire escape stairs are not a usual m e a n s of egress. O c c u p a n t s
of buildings will not so readily use t h e m in case of fire as they will use the usual
m e a n s of exit, t h e inside stairway. Because they are an e m e r g e n c y device not
ordinarily used their proper u p - k e e p m a y be neglected.
T h e experiences in m a n y fires, however, shows that properly constructed
a n d m a i n t a i n e d fire escape stairs, conforming to the r e q u i r e m e n t s for Class A
fire escapes, u n d e r favorable conditions provide an effective p a t h of escape
from fire.
A - 5 - 9 1 3 1 . . T h e existing stair with a m i n i m u m width of 22 inches is a type

w h i c h m a y be acceptable for buildings of small or m o d e r a t e size. D e p e n d i n g
u p o n local conditions, these existing fire escape stairs m a y generally be accepted.
T h e existing stair with a m i n i m u m wid'th of 18 inches is the lowest type in
a n y w a y recognized. It represents the absolute m i n i m u m that m a y be accepted
715
NOTES 101-177
in an existing fire escape stairway. Because of access over window sills, steep
pitch and narrow width travel down it will be necessarily slow and may be
dangerous. Where there are spiral stair treads, or the Stairs terminate at a
balcony above ground level with a fixed or movable ladder from there down,
the situation is even worse. This fire escape stair is applicable only to existing
fire escape stairs, and is suitable only in situations where only a very small
n u m b e r of people are involved.
A - 5 - 9 1 5 1 . Access to fire escape balconies by doors, or by casement windows
equivalent to doors, with sills at floor level, is the only way in which fire escape
stairs can furnish exit facilities in any way equivalent to inside stairs. Where
access requires climbing over window sills the exit facility is inherently inferior;
such arrangements are suitable only for relatively small numbers of persons in
existing buildings where the provision of doors may be impracticable.
A-5-9189. Latch is desirable to hold stairs down when they have once swung
to ground.
& - 5 - 9 2 2 1 . Counterbalanced and other forms o f ' m o v a b l e ladders designed to
provide access from the lowest fire escape balcony to the street are not recog-
nized as exits by this Code.
A - 5 - 1 0 1 1 3 . A desirable form of exit lighting is by lights recessed in walls about
a foot above the floor. Such lights are not likely to be obscured by smoke.
A - 5 - 1 0 1 1 4 . For further information on illumination, see the following stan-
dards of the Illuminating Engineering Society:
American Standard Practice for Industrial Lighting.
American Standard Practice for School Lighting.
R e c o m m e n d e d Practice for Off'ice Lighting.
Lighting Practice for Stores and O t h e r Merchandising Areas.
A - 5 - I 0 1 2 2 . See National Electrical Code, NFPA No. 70, for details of recog-
nized good practice, particularly Article 700 on emergency lighting.
A - 5 - 1 0 1 2 4 . Such materials may be a useful adjunct to other illumination,

but do not provide a sufficient degree of illumination for a sufficient length of
time to justify any official recognition.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 1 1 . Emergency lighting facilities to provide exit illumination in the
event of failure of normal lighting are desirable in all cases, but can be reasonably
required only under specified conditions, such as in occupancies where large
numbers of persons may be exposed to a possible panic hazard.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 1 2 . In huspitals and in certain institutiooa emergency light and
power are needed for various purposes in addition to exit illumination, such as
operating room lights, power for "iron lungs" and other equipment which
must be kept in continuous operation to sustain life, power for elevators, etc.
It is highly desirable for hospitals to have their own self-contained electric
generating plants for emergency use in the event of failure of publii: utility
power due to hurricane, tornado, earthquake, act of war, or other catastrophe.
Such emergency electric facilities where provided for the entire hospital or for
the moat essential features of hospital operation may serve the purpose of emer-
gency exit lighting.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 1 3 . T h e selection of type of service depends upon the type of emer-
gency conditions for which provisions are to be made and the effectiveness of
the supervision and maintenance likely to be available.
716
Reliable public utility source of electrical current may be used to supply

emergency lighting circuits which must be established and maintained inde-
pendently of other electrical circuits in the building, as provided in Article 700
of the National Electrical Code. Such installations meet the requirements for
T y p e 3 emergency lighting. Reliable public utility networks supplied through
separate substations, particularly with wiring underground so as to be free from
danger of d e r a n g e m e n t due to windstorms or accidents, have a high degree of
reliability. In some places there may be 2 separate electric supply systems
available, permitting an alternate source with consequent further increase in
reliability. However, any public utility or other outside power source may be
subject to interruption such as by some natural catastrophe, or act of war, or
sabotage. W h e r e maintenance of lighting uhder such conditions is essential
T y p e 1 or T y p e 3 emergency lighting is needed.
T y p e I emergency lighting provides for illumination under more different
contingencies than do the other types, but is reliable only to the extent that the
equipment is properly maintained.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 1 4 . Automobile-type lead storage batteries are not suitable by reason
of their relatively short life when not subject to frequent discharge and recharge
as occurs in automobile operation.
Dry batteries may not be suitable became of their limited life and the danger
that they may not be replaced when deteriorated due to age or exhausted by use.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 1 5 . This excludes from required emergency lighting service any manu-
ally started gasoline engine driving an electric generator or other equipment,
which must be manually activated after the emergency occurs. Auxiliary self-
powered electric generating equipment may have a most useful function m the
event of power failure, but unless automatically started does not qualify for re-
quired emergency exit lighting, became of the danger that in the confusion of
a fire or other emergency the auxiliary system may not be put into operation
quickly enough to prevent fatal panic due to darkness.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 3 1 . This type of emergency lighting does not necessarily provide any
safeguard against outside power failure, but does guard against hght failure
from causes within the building, and may be found suitable and reasonably
adequate for many situations.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 3 3 . For iust~lation details see National Electrical Code, N F P A No.
70~ Article 700.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 4 1 . This type of emergency lighting does not necessarily provide any
safeguard against failure of lighting from causes wholly within the building,
but may be found suitable for situations where the principal concern is to pro-
vide continued light in the event of outside power failure, such as with a public
utility service particularly subject to interruption due to storms or other causes.
A - 5 - 1 0 2 4 3 . A local electric generating system supplying a single building will
meet the requirements for Type 3 if the local system is itself of adequate reli-
ability, and where such a local system supplies all lights in a building no sep-
arate emergency lighting circuits or other special features are necessarily re-
quired to furnish Type 3 emergency lighting.
W h e r e normal lighting is from a public utility or other outside source, it is
necessary to have a local source of energy for emergency lighting, or for the
entire building, such as an automatic starting electric generator arranged to
supply the building in the event of outside power failure. In such a ease, how-
ever, only a few additional features are needed to qualify the system for T y p e 1
emergency lighting, which is obviously preferable.
717
NOTES 101-179
A - 5 - 1 1 1 1 1 . W h e r e a m a i n e n t r a n c e serves also as a n ' e x i t , it will usually be

sufficiently obvious to occupants so that no exit sign is needed.
T h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e o c c u p a n c y has a practical effect u p o n the n.eed for
signs. In a n y place of assembly, hotel, d e p a r t m e n t store, or other building
subject to transient occupancy, the need for signs will be greater t h a n in a
building subject to p e r m a n e n t or s e m i p e r m a n e n t o c c u p a n c y by the s a m e
people, such as an a p a r t m e n t house w h e r e the residents m a y be p r e s u m e d to be
familiar with exit facilities by reason of regular use thereof. Even in a p e r m a n e n t
residence type of building, however, there is need for signs to identify exit fa-
cilities s u c h as outside stairs w h i c h are not subject to regular use d u r i n g the
n o r m a l o c c u p a n c y of the building.
T h e r e are m a n y types of situations w h e r e the actual need for signs m a y be
debatable. In cases of doubt, however, it is desirable to be on the safe side by
providing signs, particularly as the placing of signs does not ordinarily involve
any material expense or inconvenience.
A - 5 - 1 1 1 1 2 . T h e likelihood of mistaking for exits doors, passageways, or stair-
ways w h i c h lead to d e a d - e n d spaces w h e r e o c c u p a n t s m i g h t be trapped d e p e n d s
upon the .same considerations as govern the need for exit signs.
W h e r e a m p l e a n d properly m a r k e d exits are i m m e d i a t e l y available from
a n y area, the m a r k i n g of nonexits m a y be unnecessary.
A - 5 - 1 1 1 1 3 . For example, in stores an otherwise a d e q u a t e exit sign m a y be
m a d e inconspicuous by s o m e high-intensity illuminated advertising sign in the
i m m e d i a t e vicinity.
A - 5 - 1 1 1 1 4 . R e d is the traditional color for exit signs a n d is required by law
in m a n y places. However, at an early stage in the d e v e l o p m e n t of the Life
Safety Code, a provision was m a d e that green be the color for exit signs, follow-
ing the idea of traffic lights where green indicates safety a n d red is the signal to
stop. D u r i n g the period w h e n green signs were specified by the Life Safety
Code, m a n y such signs were installed, b u t tile traditional red signs also per-
sisted. In 1949, the Fire M a r s h a l s Association of N o r t h A m e r i c a voted to re-
quest that red be restored as the required exit sign color, as they found that the
provision for green involved difficulties in law enforcement out of ,all pro-
portion to the i m p o r t a n c e of the subject. T h e 10th Edition of tile Life Safety
Code accordingly specified "red w h e r e not otherwise required by law." T h e
present text avoids a n y specific r e q u i r e m e n t for color, on the a s s m n p t i o n that
either red or green will be used in most cases, a n d that there m a y be s o m e
situations where some color other t h a n red or green m a y actually provide
better visibility.
CHAPTER 6
A - 6 - 1 1 1 4 . T h e application of the 2-hour rule, in buildings not divided into
storie~, m a y be based on the n u m b e r of levels of platfornas or walkways served
by the stairs.
M a s o n r y enclosing walls are generally specified for new construction. For
enclosing open stairways in existing buildings various types of light construction
are used, including plaster on metal lath.
A - 6 - 1 1 1 5 . For example, an access stair connecting 2 stories, a n d not serving
as a required exit, m a y he c u t off by a door at either the top or b o t t o m of the
stairs.
A - 6 - 1 2 2 2 . T h i s r e q u i r e m e n t c a n be met by the provision of an air intake from
the outside of the building above the floor opening. T h e test of the system
u n d e r " n o r m a l " conditions requires that the velocity of the d o w n d r a f t be
718
I01-180 LXFE SAFETY CODE
developed when windows or doors on the several stories normally used for
ventilation are open. T h e size of the exhaust fan and exhaust duets must be
sufficient to meet such ventilation c o n d i t i o n s . . Experience indicates that fan
capacity should be based on a rating of not less than 500 cfm per square foot
of moving stairway opening to obtain the 300 feet per minute required. If the
building is provided with an air-conditioning system, arranged to be auto-
matically shut clown in the event of fire, the test conditions should be met with
the air-conditioning system shut down. T h e 300 feet per minute downdraft
through the opening provides for the testing of the exhaust system without
requiring an expansion of air present under actual fire conditions.
A - 6 - 1 2 2 4 . T h e electric power supply provisions of NFPA Standard No. 20,
Centrifugal Fire Pumps, may be referred to as a guide to design and installa-
tion features to assure m a x i m u m reliability.
A - 6 - 1 2 2 5 . N F P A Standard No. 91, Blower and Exhaust Systems, contains

provisions on fans and ducts which may be referred to as criteria of standard
installation.
A - 6 - 1 2 3 5 . Supply taken from the sprinkler system is designed to provide pro-
tection to the wellway opening for life hazard during the exit period, but may
not be relied upon to provide an effective floor cutoff.
A - 6 - 1 2 3 8 . Smoke detection device~ a r e . n o t desirable for actuation of the

spray nozzles as accidental discharge must be safeguarded against from both a
panic hazard as well as property d a m a g e standpoint.
A - 6 - 1 2 4 1 . T h e use of an automatic rolling shutter to protect moving stairway

wellways between basements and street floors is not acceptable for the reason
that the normal path of travel to reach a place of safety in an emergency is
usually that used for access to the area. Persons seeking egress from basement
areas served by moving stairways could be trapped by fully closed rolling
shutters at the street floor level. Observation of rolling shutters in use indicates
the likelihood that under emergency conditions there is a quite different psycho-
logical reaction by those facing its operation from upper floors than could be
expected when the rolling shutter is closed above a person seeking egress from a
basement. O n upper floors, the operation of an automatic rolling shutter will
be clearly visible to persons seeking egress and other means of egress (i.e., stair-
ways), can be readily found and used if the requirements of the Life Safety
Code are followed.
A - 6 - 1 2 4 6 . T h e electric power supply provisions of NFPA Standard No. 20,
Centrifugal Fire Pumps, may be referred to as a guide to design and installation
features to assure m a x i m u m reliability.
A - 6 - 1 3 1 L T h e area limitations are based on life-safety consideration and are

not intended to suggest that changes should be made in local building codes
having similar or more restrictive requirements that are based on other reasons.
Building codes generally contain detailed information on the proper selection
and installation of firestopping materials.
A - 6 - 3 1 1 3 . T h e following N F P A standards cover installation details for manual

fire alarm systems:
No. 71. Central Station Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72A. Local Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72B. Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72C. Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72D. Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems
719
NOTZS I01--181
A - 6 - 2 1 5 1 . T h e following is a compilation of the interior finish requirements

of the occupancy chapters of the Life Safety Code.
Access
Occupancy Exits to Exits Other Spaces
Places of assembly--Class A t A A AorB
Places of assembly--Class B 2 A A Aor B
Places of assembly---Class C a A A A, B, or C
Educational A A A, B, or C
Educational--unsprinklered A or B A or B Aor B
including open plan build- C movablc partitions
ings 7 not over 7 fcct high
Institutional, existing--hospi- A or B A or B Aor B
tals, nursing homes, resi-
dential-custodial care
Institutional, existing, corn- A, B, or C A, B, or C
pletely sprinklered - - hos-
pitals, nursing homes, resi-
dential-custodial care
Institutional, new - - hospi- A A A
tals, nursing homes, resi- B in individual room
dential-custodial care with capacity not
more t h a n 4 persons
Residential, new - - apart- A or B AorB A, B, or C
ment houses
Residential, existing - - apart- A or B A, B, or C A, B, or C
ment houses
Residential - - dormitories A or B A, B, or C A, B, or C
Residential, new - - 1- and 2- A, B, or C
family, lodging or rooming
houses
Residential, existing - - 1- and A, B, C, or D
2-family, lodging or room-
ing houses
Residential, new - - hotels A or B AorB A, B, or C
Residential, existing - - hotels A or B (I)AorBifrc- A, B, or C
quired path of
exit travel; (2)
A, B, or C ifnot
uscd as required
path of exit'
travel
Mercantile -- Class A 4 A or B ceilings -- A or B
w a l l s - - A , B, o r C
Mercantile -- Class B s A or B ceilings - - A o r B
walls - - A, B, or C
Mercantile -- Class C 6 A, B, or C A, B, or C
Office A or B A, B, or C
Industrial A, B, or C A, B, or C A, B, or C
Towers A or B Aor B
720
101-182 Lt~m SAFETY CODE
Notes:
Class A Interior Finish - - F l a m e Spread 0-25
Class B Interior Finish - - F l a m e Spread 25-75
Class C Interior Finish - - F l a m e S p r e a d 75-200
Class D Interior Finish - - F l a m e Spread 200-500
A u t o m a t i c Sprinklers - - w h e r e a complete s t a n d a r d system of a u t o m a t i c
sprinklers is installed, interior finish with llame spread rating not over
Class C m a y be used in a n y location w h e r e Class B is normally specified,
a n d with rating of Class B in a n y location w h e r e Class A is normally
specified, unless specifically prohibited elsewhere in this Code.
1Class A Places of Assembly - - 1,000 persons or more"
~Class B Places of Assembly - - 300 to 1,000 persons
8Class C Places of Assembly - - 50 to 300 persons
~Class A M e r c a n t i l e O c c u p a n c i e s - - stores h a v i n g aggregate gross area of
30,000 s q u a r e feet or more, or utilizing more t h a n 3 floor levels for
sales purposes.
6Class B Mercantile O c c u p a n c i e s - - stores of less t h a n 30,000 s q u a r e feet
aggregate gross area, b u t over 3,000 s q u a r e feet, or utilizing any
floors above or below street floor level for sales purposes, except that if
m o r e t h a n 3 floors are utilized, store shall be Class A.
eClass C Mercantile O c c u p a n c i e s - - stores of 3,000 s q u a r e feet or less gross
area, used for sales purposes on street level only - - (balcony per-
mitted 12-1123).
7Open plan b u i l d i n g s - includes all buildings where no p e r m a n e n t partitions
are provided between r o o m s or between rooms a n d corridors.
A - 6 - 3 1 1 4 . No type of signaling e q u i p m e n t is sumciently a u t o m a t i c or d u r a b l e
to avoid the necessity for periodical inspections a n d working tests of all its
parts. Especial i m p o r t a n c e is placed u p o n the efficiency a n d reliability a n d
the m e t h o d s e m p l o y e d in m a i n t a i n i n g a n d in inspecting a l a r m systems.
A - 6 - 3 1 1 7 . T h e m a n n e r of s o u n d i n g alarms should be standardized with a
view to o b t a i n i n g unifornfity t h r o u g h o u t as large a geographical area as prac-
ticable, so that persons m o v i n g from one locality to a n o t h e r will not be misled
a n d confused by differences in m a n n e r of s o u n d i n g alarms.
T h i s point is of special i m p o r t a n c e in certain occupancies. For example,
p e n d i n g the time w h e n state-wide uniformity in school a l a r m systems c a n be
attained, uniformity of a l a r m signals should be strictly enforced in all p.ublic
a n d private schools t h r o u g h o u t each city a n d the adjacent s u b u r b a n terrttory.
A - 6 - 3 1 2 2 . It is r e c o m m e n d e d that at least 1 sending station be provided
u p o n each floor. W h e r e conditions are such as to require b u t 1 s o u n d i n g de-
vice for a n entire building, the functions of a s o u n d i n g device a n d a sending
station m a y be c o m b i n e d in a single m e c h a n i s m .
A - 6 - 3 1 3 2 . Visible a l a r m devices in addition to audible a l a r m s are desirable
in buildings occupied by d e a f persons.
A - 6 - 3 1 3 4 . T h e purpose of a n a l a r m is to provide a signal for all o c c u p a n t s to
leave, irrespective of the exact point of origin, as the complication of coded
signals m a y be confusing to the general public. However, it is often advisable
to give code signals to those in a u t h o r i t y a n d those w h o will ,assist the occu-
p a n t s in leaving the building - - as, for example, to principMs, superintendents,
m a n a g e r s , engineers, m e m b e r s of private tire brigades, etc., who require drills
in t h e interpretation a n d response to code signals.
A - 6 - 3 2 1 1 . T h e following N F P A s t a n d a r d s cover installation details for auto-
matic fire detection systems:
No. 71. Central Station Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72A. Local Protective Signaling Systems
721
NOTES 101-183
No. 72B. Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems

No. 72C. Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems
No. 72D. Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems
Any automatic fire detection systcln where relied upon for life safety from fire
should have a high degree of reliability. This indicates the need for such features
as an electric current supply independent of the electric power source for the
building, trouble signals to give warning in .case of short circuits or breaks in
wire~, or other conditions which might interfere with the proper operation of
the system, gongs or other signals of such types and so located as to give assured
warning even to sleeping persons, and, above all, a regular maintenance pro-
gram. There is a very considerable diversity in types of automatic fire detection
and alarm equipment commercially available, and selection of types suitable
for any given situation calls for the exercise of judgment based upon experience.
A-6-3311. It is highly desirable that fire alarm equipment installed for the
notification of the occupants of buildings in localities under protection of regu-
larly organized fire departments.or private fire brigades be arranged to cause
automatic trans~rdssion of alarms (directly or through an approved central
office) to such fire departments or brigades upon operation of any alarm sending
station or system. When no such connection is provided, it is recommended
that a fire alarm box arranged to signal the fire department be installed either
at the main entrance to the building, at the telephone switchboard, or outside
the building plainly visible by day or night and conveniently accessible from
the main entrance.
A-6-4111. Experience shows that automatic sprinklers, properly installed and
maintained, are the most effective of any of the various safeguards against
loss of life by fire. Their value is psychological as well as physical, in that
they give a sense of security to occupants of buildings and tend to nfinimize
possible panic hazard in case of fire. There is no case in the NFPA records
of over 100,000 {ires in sprinklered buildings where water from automatic
sprinklers has in any way contributed to panic.
NFPA Standard No. 13, Sprinkler Systems, covers installation details for
standard automatic sprinkler systems. It will generally be found most de-
sirable to provide a complete standard automatic sprinkler installation to pro-
tect the entire property, in the interest of both life safety from fire and the
protection of property, even in situations where the Life Safety Code requires
sprinklers only for hazardous areas.
NFPA Standard No. 13, Sprinkler Systems, provides for the installation of
systems of various types appropriate for the individual building protected,
subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
A-6-4112. Properly designed automatic sprinkler systems provide the dual
function of both automatic alarms and automatic extinguishment.
A-6-4113. Standard automatic sprinkler protection provides a high degree of
life safety from fire. This Code, however, does not rely on any one feature as
the sole safeguard for life, and specilies other additional safeguards in recog-
nition of the fact that automatic sprinkler systems may in rare instances be
inoperative. This Code also recognizes the fact that some quantity of smoke may
be produced before fire is extinguished by automatic sprinklers, and that any
smoke may create a panic hazard even though there may be no actual danger.
A-6-4121. Where automatic sprinklers arc installed for life safety in buildings
of small or moderate size in areas where no adequate public water supplies
are available, pressure tank supply will usually bc found satisfactory. Pressure
tanks may be filled from any small domestic water supply.
722
101-184 L1r~ SAFETY C O D E
A-6-4131. NFPA Standard No. 13A, Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler

Systems, gives detailed information on maintenance procedures.
A-6-4132. NFPA Standard No. 71, Central Station Protective Signaling Systems,
gives details of standard practice in sprinkler supervision.
Subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, sprinkler super-
vision may also be provided by direct connection to municipal fire departmertts,
or in the case of very large establishments, to a private headquarters providing
similar functions.
NFPA Standards Nos. 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D cover such matters. Where
municipal fire alarm systems are involved, reference should also be made to
NFPA Standard No. 73, Municipal Fire Alarm Systems.
A-6-4211. Automatic extinguishing systems other than automatic sprinklers
are covered by the following NFPA Standards:
No. i 1 Foam Extinguishing Systems
No. 12 Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
No. 15 Water Spray Systems
No. 17 Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems
A - 6 - 4 2 2 1 . For description of standard types of extinguishers and their installa-
tion, maintenance and use, see NFPA Standard No. 10, Installation of Portable
Fire Extinguishers and No. 10A, Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Ex-
tinguishers. The labels of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., Underwriters'
Laboratories of Canada, or the Factory Mutual Laboratories on extinguishers
rovide evidence of tests indicating reliability and suitability of the extinguisher
r its intended use. Many unlabelled extinguishers arc offered for sale which are
substandard by reason of insufficient extinguishing capacity, questionable re-
liability, extinguishing agents not effective on fires in ordinary combustible
materials, or involving a persona/hazard to the user.
A - 6 - 4 2 2 2 . For details, see NFPA Standard No. 14, Standpipe and Hose
Systems.
A-6-5113. For details, see NFPA Standard No. 68, Explosion Venting.
A-6-6112. For details of flameproofing and tests thereof, see NFPA Standard
No. 701, Flameproofed Textiles.
A-6-1113. Christmas trees not effectively flameproofed, ordinary crepe paper
decorations, and pyroxylin plastic decorations may be classed" as highly flam-
mable.
A-6-7111. Smokestop doors, while not the equivalent of fire doors, and not
completely smoketight, are effective in restricting the spread of smoke and
reducing drafts which might otherwisc spread fire rapidly.
A--6-7112. Longer ratings may be required where doors arc provided for
property protection as well as life safety.
NFPA Standard for Fire Doors and Windows (NFPA No. 80) may be con-
sulted for standard practice in the selection and installation of fire doors.
CHAPTER 7
A-7-1121. NFPA Standard No. 90A, Air Conditioning, gives details of safe •
installation.
723
NOTES 101-185
A - 7 - 1 1 2 2 . U n i t air conditioners a n d fans, including local air circulating

units with h e a t i n g or cooling supplied t h r o u g h closed pipes from a central
point, are not considered a s systems for t h e purposes of this p a r a g r a p h a n d do
not ordinarily involve a n y d a n g e r of spread of fire from one r o o m or area to
another.
A - 7 - 1 1 2 3 . N F P A S t a n d a r d on Air Conditioning, No. 90A, provides informa-
tion on installation a n d m a i n t e n a n c e of smoke-sensitive controls. Heat-sensitive
elements such as fusible links m a y not necessarily operate p r o m p d y in case of
fire inside the systems, as the rapid flow of air m a y carry heat a w a y from the
elements.
A - 7 - 1 1 3 2 . A u t o m a t i c m e a n s for opening s m o k e vents m a y include smoke-
a c t u a t e d release e q u i p m e n t , connection to a complete a u t o m a t i c sprinkler or
a u t o m a t i c fire detection system. O p e r a t i o n by the melting of fusible links, the
breakage of glass, or the melting of plastic, d e p e n d i n g u p o n circumstances, m a y
or m a y not be sufllciendy rapid to prevent d a n g e r o u s smoke a c c u m u l a t i o n .
A - 7 - 1 1 3 3 . I n t h e absence of exact d a t a as to t h e m i n i m u m v e n t areas neces-

sary to provide a d e q u a t e s m o k e venting for life safety, the design of venting
facilities for a n y individual area c a n be established only on a j u d g m e n t basis,
taking into consideration the h a z a r d of o c c u p a n c y , the conditions o f use, ceiling
height, draft conditions, a n d other pertinent factors. As a guide, reference m a y
be m a d e to the G u i d e for Smoki: a n d H e a t Venting, N F P A No. 204.
A - 7 - 1 1 7 2 . S t a n d a r d good practice for the installation a n d m a i n t e n a n c e of in-

cinerator flues will be found in N F P A S t a n d a r d No. 82, Incinerators. R u b b i s h
chutes are covered in the s a m e publication. Linen or l a u n d r y chutes are not
specifically m e n t i o n e d here, b u t t h e hazard is similar to t h a t of r u b b i s h chutes,
a n d t h e s a m e safeguards are indicated.
A-7-1173. See N F P A S t a n d a r d No. 13, Sprinkler Systems, for details.
CHAPTER 8
A - 8 - 1 1 2 1 . D e p e n d i n g u p o n the c h a r a c t e r of construction a n d the hazard of
the o c c u p a n c y , this will require s o m e physical separation by walls of a p p r o p r i a t e
fire resistance, protection of the other o c c u p a n c y by a u t o m a t i c sprinklers, or
other a p p r o p r i a t e measures. W h e r e the building is o f fire-resistive construction,
a n d t h e h a z a r d of the other o c c u p a n c y is low or m o d e r a t e as in a school or
hotel, no separation m a y be necessary.
A - 8 - 1 2 1 1 . T h e difference between doors at ~rade a n d stairs is based on their

rated capacity, 60 persons per nfinute per u m t for level exit t h r o u g h doors, 45
d o w n stairs. T h e s e figures provide for an e v a c u a t i o n tinm of I nfinute 40
seconds a s s u m i n g rated capacity a n d travel rate, exclusive of time for lirst
person to reach exit, a n d exclusive of time for last person to reach a place of
safety after entering exit.
T h e provisions of the above p a r a g r a p h are based on the a s s u m p t i o n that all
the o c c u p a n t s of a place of assembly m a y start for the exits at the s a m e m o m e n t ,
a n d is different from the situation in buildings of other occupancies w h e r e it is
a s s u m e d that only the occupants of a single floor will rush to t h e exits at the
i m m e d i a t e outbreak of fire a n d that o c c u p a n t s of other floors c a n use the s a m e
stairways afterwards.
A - 8 - 1 2 2 3 . P a r a g r a p h 8-1131 provides that a s s e m b l y . a r e a s with individual

capacity of less t h a n 100 persons in buildings of o c c u p a n m e s other t h a n assembly
shall be classed as part of the o t h e r o c c u p a n c y .
724
A-8-125. Elevators, slide escapes, revolving doors, and fire escapes are not
recognized as constituting required exits in places of assembly.
A-8-1412. Example: An assembly room for the inmates of an institution
will not be subject to simultaneous occupancy.
A-8-1611. Standard booth "construction is described in NFPA Standard
No. 40, Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film.
NFPA No. 70, the National Electrical Code, contains similar requirements
for booths, as well as electrical provisions.
A-8-1711. All stairways and other vertical openings should be enclosed for
safety but in the case of theater balconies, open to the main floor below, it is
generally not practicable to provide enclosed stairs from upper levels to the
street. However, in large capacity facilities such as sports arenas, music halls,
large university assembly halls, etc., attention should be given in their design
to provide protected stairways and exits from upper levels to the street.
A-8-1723. NFPA No. 220, Standard Types of Building Construction, defines
heavy timber construction.
A-8-1741. In many existing buildings of combustible construction enforce-
ment of these requirements may involve difficult problems, which may be dealt
with individually by the authority having jurisdiction under the broad powers
vested in him by this Code.
A-8-1832. See NFPA Standard No. 96, Ventilation of Restaurant Cooking
Equipment.
A-8-4112. Exhibits employing gasoline or other flammable liquids, or com-
pressed combustible gases, depending upbn their character, may involve a
hazard such as to justi~ prohibition of this class of exhibits. The hazard of
booth construction of hght lattice work, paper, or other highly combustible
materials may be mitigated by flameproofing treatment.
CHAPTER 9
A-g-1114. Educational occupancies for students of high school age and below
are distinguished from assembly occupancies in that the same occupants are
regularly present and they are subject to discipline and control. Sunday schools
or church schools which are not used for daily classes throughout the week are
considered to fall within the scope of assembly occupancies.
Fire-resistive construction is not generally specified in this Chapter of the
Life Safety Code, though it is obviously desirable and should be used wherever
feasible.
Automatic sprinkler protection, herein specified for life safety reasons, pro-
vides a substantial degree of protection for the property. Sprinkler protection,
to be effective, must be complete and cover all portions of the building. Partial
automatic sprinkler systems, covering only corridors, stairs, and points of special
hazard are effective only when fi ~ start in the protected area; they will not
prevent the dangerous spread of smoke from fires starting in areas not protected
by automatic sprinklers. In no case is sole reliance placed on automatic sprin-
klers or on any other single safeguard.
A-9-1221. This provides for emptying street floors, not over 21 inches above
grade, in 1 minute 40 seconds, assuming use of exits at their rated capacity in
numbers of persons per minute (60 for level travel, 45 down stairs), not counting
the time for the first person to reach the exit, nor for the last person to traverse
the exit and reach a place of safety. For upper floors the time is 1 minute 20
725
NOTES 101-187
seconds; t h e difference in time allows for the potentially g r e a t e r h a z a r d on u p p e r

floors a n d the fact t h a t there m a y be s o m e delay w h e r e the o c c u p a n t s of two or
m o r e floors use the s a m e stairway.
A - 9 - 1 2 2 2 . For example, in t h e case of enclosed interior stairways, w h e r e t h e
capacity of the third floor is s u c h as to require 3 stairways, a n d the capacity of
the second floor also requires 3 stairways, the second floor m a y utilize t h e stair-
ways also serving t h e third floor so that the total n u m b e r of stairways required
is 3, not 6. However, t h e street floor a n d b a s e m e n t m u s t h a v e their required
exit capacity provided by separate exits, or if the p a t h of exit from t h e street
floor or b a s e m e n t is t h r o u g h a part of the s a m e stair tower serving the u p p e r
floors, t h e total exit capacity n m s t be such as to provide required exit facilities
for street floor a n d b a s e m e n t w i t h o u t e n c r o a c h i n g u p o n the stair capacity re-
quired for u p p e r floors. T h i s assumes t h a t because of greater travel distance
the o c c u p a n t s of floors above the second will require a longer time to reach
the street a n d will not m a k e s i m u l t a n e o u s exit.
A - 9 - 1 2 5 5 b . School design providing classroom exits directly to the outside or

to exterior balconies open to the outside air with exterior stairways available
to either direction to g r a d e is considered preferable, from t h e fire safety stand-
point, to t h e m o r e conventional design using interior corridors which c a n be-
c o m e u n t e n a b l e from the a c c u m u l a t i o n of smoke a n d heat.
A - 9 - 1 2 6 1 . A school plan with outside doors or stairways at both ends of a cen-

tral corridor meets this r e q u i r e m e n t . Pockets m a y be created w h e r e stairways are
not at t h e end of corridors b u t at intermediatc points.
A - 9 - 1 5 U . It is highly desirable to h a v e all windows of a type which c a n be

readily o p e n e d from inside, a n d to h a v e t h e m large e n o u g h a n d low e n o u g h for
use by students, teachers, a n d firemen. W i n d o w s m a y serve as a s u p p l e m e n t a r y
m e a n s of e m e r g e n c y escape, particularly w h e r e ladders c a n be raised by firemen
or others. Even w h e r e the location is s u c h as to preclude the use of windows
for escape purposes, they m a y provide air for b r e a t h i n g in a smoke-filled r o o m
while t r a p p e d o c c u p a n t s are awaiting rescue. W i n d o w s should have sills not
too high above the floor.
W h e r e a w n i n g or h o p p e r - t y p e windows are used, they should be so hinged
or subdivided as to provide a clear opening not less t h a n 600 s q u a r e inches in
area, nor a n y dimension less t h a n 22 inches. Screen walls or devices in front of
required windows shall not interfere with n o r m a l rescue requirements.
A - 9 - 2 1 4 1 . N F P A No. 220, S t a n d a r d T y p e s of Building Construction, defines

heavy t i m b e r construction.
CHAPTER 10
A - 1 0 - 1 1 4 3 . Auditoriums, chapels, residential areas, garages, or other oc-
cupancies in connection with hospitals or n u r s i n g h o m e s shall have exits pro-
vided in accordance with the other applicable sections of this Code. Doctors
offices, t r e a t m e n t , a n d diagnostic facilities intended solely for o u t - p a t i e n t care
a n d physically separated from facilities for the t r e a t m e n t or care of in-patients,
b u t otherwise associated with the m a n a g e m e n t of an institution, m a y be classi-
fied as Office Occupancy, for exits, r a t h e r t h a n Institutional O c c u p a n c y .
A-10-1211c. R a m p s are undesirable in hospitals a n d n u r s i n g h o m e s because of
the accident h a z a r d in both n o r m a l a n d e m e r g e n c y traffic except in the case of
r a m p s of extremely g r a d u a l slope, w h i c h require so m u c h space as to be im-
practicable in most situations. They are, however, the only practicable m e t h o d
of m o v i n g patients in beds from one story to another, except by elevators w h i c h
726
m a y not be available u n d e r fire conditions. T h e best p l a n is to provide for hori-

zontal eg.ress to a n o t h e r section of the building, m i n i m i z i n g the need for complete
evacuation.
R a m p s m a y be t h e best m e a n s for providing egress from doors 2 or 3 steps
above or below t h e g r a d e level, a n d also to c o m p e n s a t e for minor difficulties
in floor levels between adjoining sections of buildings. S u c h r a m p s should be
in a c c o r d a n c e with I0-1271.
A - I 0 - 1 2 2 1 . T h e s e exit capacities, w h i c h are substantially less t h a n for other

parts of this C o d e dealing with exits for occupants in n o r m a l health, are based
on the a s s u m p t i o n t h a t s o m e of the o c c u p a n t s c a n n o t leave w i t h o u t physical
assistance, a n d s o m e m a y have to be carried oi" m o v e d in beds.
A-10-1293. See N F P A No. 76, S t a n d a r d for Essential Electrical Systems for

Hospitals.
A - 1 0 - 1 3 1 2 . I n p l a n n i n g exits, a r r a n g e m e n t s should be m a d e to transfer

g atients from one section of a floor to a n o t h e r section of t h e s a m e floor separated
y a fire partition in such a m a n n e r t h a t patients confined to their beds m a y be
transferred in their beds. W h e r e the building design will permit, the section
of t h e corridor c o n t a i n i n g a n e n t r a n c e or elevator lobby should be separated
from corridors leading from it by fire partitions. Such an a r r a n g e m e n t , w h e r e
the lobby is centrally located will, in effect, p r o d u c e a s m o k e lock, placing a
double barrier between the area to w h i c h patients m a y be taken a n d the area
from which they m u s t be e v a c u a t e d because of t h r e a t e n i n g s m o k e a n d fire.
A - 1 0 - 1 3 1 4 . T h e waiver of swinging of doors in the direction of exit travel is

based on the a s s u m p t i o n that in this o c c u p a n c y there will be no possibility of
a p a n i c r u s h w h i c h m i g h t prevent opening of doors swinging against exit travel.
W h i l e the closing a r r a n g e m e n t s described in 5-2135 are preferred, it is j u d g e d
t h a t heat-sensitive releases of t h e fusible link type m a y be used with reasonable
safety in horizontal exits a n d subdividing partitions provided the operating per-
sonnel has been properly trained to close the doors u p o n receipt of an alarm.
A desirable a r r a n g e m e n t , possible with corridors 8 feet or m o r e in width, is to
have two 44-inch doors, normally closed, each swinging with t h e exit travel
(in opposite directions).
A - 1 0 - 1 3 6 5 . A l a r m sending stations should be so located as to be readily avail-

able in all portions of t h e premises, to the end that w h e n a fire is discovered by
a n y o n e w h o is qualified to send a n alarm, he m a y r e a c h a station from which
aid m a y be s u m m o n e d w i t h o u t being required to leave the zone of his ordinary
activities or to pass o u t of the sight a n d hearing of those innnediately exposed
by or in direct view of the fire. T h e operation of an a l a r m sending station should
automatically act to s u m m o n aid of a t t e n d a n t s for the purpose of assisting in
the r e m o v a l of physically helpless o c c u p a n t s a n d in controlling mentally in-
c o m p e t e n t occupants. T h e aid so s u m m o n e d should also include an adequately
m a n n e d a n d e q u i p p e d public fire d e p a r t m e n t .
T h e system required by this p a r a g r a p h m a y be incorporated with an a u t o m a t i c
fire detection system if so e q u i p p e d as to p e r f o r m both functions.
A - 1 0 - 1 3 7 1 . For f l a m m a b l e liquid storage, reference should be m a d e to N F P A

S t a n d a r d No. 30. R o o m s in clinical laboratories in w h i c h a u t o m a t i c processing
of specimens with f l a m m a b l e solvents is likely to take place w h e n the e q u i p m e n t
is u n a t t e n d e d present a limited h a z a r d w h i c h m a y be more readily protected
t h r o u g h use of sprinklers connected to the domestic water supply. Provisions
for t h e enclosure of rooms used for c h a r g i n g linen a n d waste chutes or for the
r o o m s into w h i c h chutes e m p t y are provided in C h a p t e r 7. I n addition to t h e
727
NOTES 101--189
fire-resistive cutoff of rooms into w h i c h linen chutes a n d waste chutes discharge,

a u t o m a t i c sprinkler protection is considered essential. Provisions for t h e pro-
tection of storage facilities for f l a m m a b l e gases a n d oxygen are covered in N F P A
S t a n d a r d No. 56, Code for the Use of F l a m m a b l e Anesthetics, a n d S t a n d a r d
No. 565, S t a n d a r d for N o n f l a m m a b l e Medical Gas Systems.
A - 1 0 - 2 1 2 2 . I n some cases appreciable cost m a y be involved in bringing a n
existing o c c u p a n c y into compliance. W h e r e this is true, it w o u l d be a p p r o p r i a t e
for the a u t h o r i t y h a v i n g jurisdiction to prescribe a schedule, d e t e r m i n e d jointly
with t h e institution allowing suitable periods of time for t h e correction of
the various deficiencies, a n d giving d u e weight to t h e ability of t h e o w n e r to
secure the necessary funds.
A - 1 0 - 2 3 3 1 . Section 6 - 2 provides for the application of a p p r o v e d flame-
r e t a r d a n t coatings to correct excessive flame spread characteristics of certain
types of existing interior finish.
CHAPTER 11
A - 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 . D o r m i t o r y type occupancy, particularly w h e r e 2- or 3-tier b u n k s
are used with close spacing, ,nay p r o d u c e a population density substantially
greater t h a n 1 person per 200 s q u a r e feet gross floor area. However, even t h o u g h
sleeping areas are densely populated, the building as a whole m a y not neces-
sarily exceed I person per 200 s q u a r e feet gross area, owing to t h e space
taken for toilet facilities, halls, closets, a n d liwng r o o m s not used for sleeping
purposes.
.4,-11-2214. U n d e r this p a r a g r a p h , if the second a n d third floor were each re-
quired to h a v e 3 stairways, the second floor m a y use the stairways serving the
third floor so that the total n u m b e r of stairways required is 3, not 6.
A - 1 1 - 2 3 1 2 . W h e r e open stairways or escalators are permitted, they are con-
sidered as ways of travel to exits, rather t h a n as exits, a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s for dis-
tance to exits include the travel on stairs. (See 5-1183.)
A - 1 1 - 6 2 1 2 . W i n d o w s m a y serve as a m e a n s of e m e r g e n c y escape, particularly
where ladders c a n be raised by firemen or others. Even w h e r e the location is
such as to preclude t h e use of windows for escape purposes, they m a y provide
air for b r e a t h i n g in a smoke-filled r o o m while t r a p p e d o c c u p a n t s are awaiting
rescue. W i n d o w s should h a v e sills not too high above the floor; windows lower
t h a n 4 feet a b o v e t h e floor are preferable.
W h e r e a w n i n g - or h o p p e r - t y p e windows are used, they should be so hinged or
subdivided as to provide a clear opening of at least 400 s q u a r e inches. W h e r e
storm windows, screens, or b u r g l a r g u a r d s are used, these should be provided
with quick-opening devices so that they m a y be readily opened from the inside
for e m e r g e n c y egress.
CHAPTER 12
A - 1 2 - 1 1 2 3 . Note that the omission of 1 balcony from the c o u n t of n u m b e r of
floor levels in this case does not waive a n y of the exit r e q u i r e m e n t s applying
to balconies.
A - 1 2 - 1 1 5 1 . T h e s e figures were established on the basis of counts of the popu-
lation of typical store buildings d u r i n g periods of m a x i m u m occupancy, such as
before C h r i s t m a s or d u r i n g special sales. In s o m e cases, the actual o c c u p a n c y
m a y be m o r e dense t h a n indicated by these figures, b u t it m a y reasonably be
a s s u m e d that in a n y large mercantile building, all areas will not be similarly
crowded at the s u m e time, a n d t h e average density of store population should
s e l d o m exceed these figures.
728
101-190 LXFE SAFETY CODE
In s o m e types of stores, the population will normally be m u c h less t h a n

indicated, for example, in furniture stores. However, t h e c h a r a c t e r of mercantile
operations is subject to such r a p i d c h a n g e s t h a t it is not p r u d e n t in designing
exit facilities to a s s u m e that a n y store will never be crowded, a n d for this reason
t h e s a m e capacity figures are used for all types of stores.
A - 1 2 - 1 1 4 1 . E x a m p l e s of high h a z a r d mercantile o c c u p a n c y : display of u n -

w r a p p e d articles fabricated from thin sheets of pyroxylin plastic s u c h as artificial
flowers or toys; dispensing of g u n p o w d e r or other explosives in bulk; dispensing
of gasoline or f l a m m a b l e solvents by p o u r i n g into open containers.
A - 1 2 - 1 2 1 1 . T h i s prohibits as required exits, fire escapes for new buildings,

slide escapes for a n y mercantile o c c u p a n c y , new or existing, a n d a n y other exit
facility not in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Life Safety Code.
A - 1 2 - 1 2 1 2 . U n d e r this p a r a g r a p h , if the second a n d third floors of a store build-

ing are each required to have 3 stairways, the second floor m a y use t h e stairways
serving the third floor so t h a t the total n u m b e r of stairways required is 3, not 6.
A - 1 2 - 1 2 4 1 . T h e purpose of this p a r a g r a p h is to avoid pockets or dead ends of

s u c h size as to involve u n d u e d a n g e r of persons being t r a p p e d therein in case
of fire. It permits small areas such as rooms or alcoves with only one w a y out
w h e r e the distance is small e n o u g h so t h a t there is little likelihood that a fire
m i g h t develop to such proportions as to block escape before t h e o c c u p a n t s were
a w a r e of t h e fire a n d m a d e their w a y out.
It should be noted t h a t 12-1241 refers to the distance from a n y part of a n y
floor, a n d t h a t w h e r e areas are divided into rooms, the distance of 50 feet to
r o o m door p e r m i t t e d by 12-1252 is not to be a d d e d to t h e 50-foot con'anon
p a t h of travel p e r m i t t e d by 12-1241.
A - 1 2 - 1 2 7 1 . T h e basis for t h e above exception to t h e general rule on c o m p l e t e

enclosure of exits u p to their point of discharge to the outside of the building
is t h a t with the specified safeguards, reasonable safety is m a i n t a i n e d .
A stairway is not considered to discharge t h r o u g h the street floor area if it
leads to t h e street t h r o u g h a fire-resistive enclosure s e p a r a t i n g it from t h e m a i n
area, even t h o u g h there are doors between t h e first floor stairway l a n d i n g a n d
t h e m a i n area.
T h e provisions of 12-1271 should not be confused with o p e n stairways as
p e r m i t t e d by 12-1312.
A - 1 2 - 1 2 8 1 . T h e s e p a r a g r a p h s r e q u i r e adjoining swinging doors, prohibit re-

volving doors at foot of stairs, a n d rate each revolving door as one-half a unit
of exit w i d t h irrespective of the actual total w i d t h of the revolving door.
A - 1 2 - 1 3 1 1 . See 12-1132 for provisions on d e t e r m i n i n g population for exit

purposes w h e r e vertical openings are unprotected.
CHAPTER 13
A - 1 3 - 1 2 1 3 . U n d e r this p a r a g r a p h , if t h e second a n d third floor of a n office
building were each required to have 3 stairways, the second floor m a y use t h e
stairways serving the third floor so that the total n u m b e r of stairways required is
3, n o t 6.
A - 1 3 - 1 2 6 2 . Unless exits are suitably located, these r e q u i r e m e n t s m a y inter-

fere with t h e practice in multiple t e n a n t office buildings of r e n t i n g a wing or
large section to a single t e n a n t w h o closes t h e corridor with a door subject to
729
NOTES 101--191
locking and treats rite corridor inside the door as part of his general office
space. No required exit may be blocked by a door subject to locking against
the exit travel.
C H A P T E R 14
A-14-1111c. High hazard occupancy may include occupancies where gasoline
and other flammable liquids are handled, used, or are stored under such con-
ditions as to involve possible release of flammable vapors; where grain dust,
wood flour or plastic dusts, a l u m i n u m or magnesium dust, or other explosive
dusts may be produced; where hazardous chemicals or explosives are manu-
factured, stored, or handled; where cotton or other combustible fibers are
processed or handled under conditions such as to produce flammable flyings,
and other situations of similar hazard.
C h a p t e r 14, Industrial Occupancies, and C h a p t e r 15, Storage, include de-
tailed provision on high hazard occupancy.
A-14-1121. In most cases the requirements for m a x i m u m travel distance to
exits will be the determining factor rather than numbers of occupants, as exits
¢Pxirovided to satisfy travel distance requirements will be sufficient to provide
t capacity for all occupants, except cases of unusual arrangement of buildings
or high density of population of a general manufacturing occupancy.
A - 1 4 - 2 I13. U n d e r this paragraph, if the second and third floor of a building
were each required to have 3 stairways, the second floor may use the stairways
serving the third floor so that the total n u m b e r of stairways required is 3, not 6.
A-14--2131. Greater corridor widths are required wherever necessary to ac-
c o m m o d a t e the travel through the n u m b e r of units of exit width served thereby
and under special conditions as elsewhere specified.
A - 1 4 - 2 1 6 3 . Unless exits are suitably located, this requirement may interfere
with the practice in multiple tenant manufacturing buildings of renting a wing
or large section to a single tenant who closes the corridor with a door subject
to locking and treats the corridor inside the door as part of his manufacturing
space. No required exit may be blocked by a door subject to locking against
the exit travel.
A - 1 4 - 2 1 7 1 . T h e basis for this exception to the general rule on complete en-
closure of exits up to their point of discharge to the outside of the building
is that with the specified safeguards, reasonable safety is maintained.
A stairway is not considered to discharge through the street floor area if it
leads to the street through a fire-resistive enclosure separating it from the main
area, even though there are doors between the first floor stairway landing and
the main area.
T h e provisions of 12-12"]I should not be confused with open stairways as
permitted by 12-1312.
CHAPTER 15
A - 1 5 - I 1 2 1 . Section 4-2 does not recognize low hazard storage occupancy
except where the storage structure is noncombustible and the interior finish
Class A.
A - 1 5 - 2 1 1 L T h e provisions of C h a p t e r 14 do not accept an open r a m p as a
required exit except in sprinklered buildings from one floor only.
For further information on Garages, see N F P A Standard No. 88.
730
A - 1 5 - 2 2 1 4 . Gasoline dispensing inside buildings presents inherent hazards that

are avoided with outdoor dispensing as in ordinary gasoline filling stations.
N F P A S t a n d a r d on Garages (No. 88) restricts all indoor automobile fueling
facilities.
A-15-3111. For further information on Aircraft Hangars, see N F P A Standard
No. 409.
A - 1 5 - 4 1 1 1 . For further information, see N F P A Standard No. 61B, Terminal
Grain Elevators. T h e exit requirements for elevators are based upon the pos-
sibility of grain dust explosions.
C H A P T E R 16
A-16-1111. T h e Washington M o n u m e n t is an example of a tower where it

would not be practicable to provide a second stairway and where, if provided,
no appreciable increase in safety would be secured.
N F P A Standard No. 220, Types of Building Construction, defines types of
construction.
A - 1 6 - 2 1 1 2 . For further information on pier fire protection, see N F P A S t a n d a r d
No. 87, Piers and Wharves.
A - 1 6 - 3 1 I L Exits and other fire safety standards for trailers will be found in
N F P A Standard No. 501A, Trailer Courts, and in No. 501B, Mobile Homes
and Travel Trailers.
A - 1 6 - S U L In an area from which there is no direct access to outside and no

windows to permit outside fire d e p a r t m e n t rescue operations and ventilation,
any fire or smoke may tend to produce panic. Such conditions may occur in
either u n d e r g r o u n d structures or windowless buildings.
C H A P T E R 17
A-17-1111, T h e term "fire exit drill" is used to avoid confusion between drills
held for the purpose of rapid evacuation of buildings and drills of fire fighting
practice which from a technical viewpoint are correctly designated as "fire drills"
although this term is by c o m m o n usage applied to egress drills in schools, etc.
T h e purpose of fire exit drills is to ensure the efficient and safe use of the exit
facilities available. Proper drills ensure orderly exit under control and prevent
the panic which has been responsible for the greater part of the loss of life in
the major fire disasters of history. O r d e r and control are the primary purposes of
the drill. Speed in emptying buildings, while desirable, is not in itself an object,
and should be made secondary to the maintenance of proper order and discipline.
The usefulness of a fire exit drill and the extent to which it can be carried
depends upon the character of the occupancy, it being most effective in occu-
pancies where the population of the building is under discipline and subject to
habitual control. For example, schools offer possibilities of more highly developed
and valuable fire exit drills than other types of occupancy.
I n buildings where the population is of a changing character and not under
discipline, for example, in hotels or in d e p a r t m e n t stores, no regularly organized
731
NOTES 101-193
fire exit drill, such as t h a t w h i c h m a y be c o n d u c t e d in schools, is possible. In

such cases the fire exit drills m u s t be limited to the regular employees who,
however, c a n be thoroughly schooled in t h e proper p r o c e d u r e a n d c a n be
trained to direct properly other o c c u p a n t s of the building in case of fire. I n
occupancies such as hospitals, regular employees c a n be rehearsed in t h e prop.er
p r o c e d u r e in case of fire; s u c h training always is advisable in all occupancies
w h e t h e r or not regular fire exit drills c a n be held.
A - 1 7 - 1 1 1 3 . ' F i r e is always unexpected. If the drill is always held in the s a m e

w a y at the s a m e time it loses m u c h of its value, a n d w h e n for s o m e reason in
actual fire it is not possible to follow the usual routine of the fire exit drill to
which occupants have become a c c u s t o m e d , confusion a n d panic m a y ensue.
Drills should be carefully p l a n n e d to simulate actual fire conditions. Not only
should they be held at varying times, b u t should use different m e a n s of exit,
a s s u m p t i o n being m a d e , for example, that s o m e given stairway is u n a v a i l a b l e by
reason of fire or smoke, all the o c c u p a n t s being led o u t by s o m e other route.
Fire exit drills should be designed to familiarize t h e o c c u p a n t s with all available
m e a n s of exits, particularly e m e r g e n c y exits that are not habitually used d u r i n g
the n o r m a l o c c u p a n c y of the building.
A - 1 7 - 1 1 1 6 . If a fire exit drill is considered merely as a routine exercise from

w h i c h s o m e persons m a y be excused, there is grave d a n g e r that in an actual fire
the drill will fail in its intended purpose.
A - 1 7 - 1 1 1 g . Ill-advised activities on the part of a m a t e u r fire fighters m a y actu-

ally be a source of d a n g e r to life, as w h e r e fire doors protecting stair towers
are opened while the stairway is in use as a n exit, or where hose lines are stretched
across ways of exit.
A - 1 7 - 1 2 1 2 . For details of flameproofing a n d tests thereof, see N F P A S t a n d a r d

No. 701, Flameproofed Textiles.
A - 1 7 - 1 2 1 3 . C h r i s t m a s trees not effectively flameproofed, ordinary crepe p a p e r

decorations, a n d pyroxylin plastic decorations m a y be classed as highly flam-
mable.
A - 1 7 - 1 3 1 1 . N F P A S t a n d a r d No. 13A, Care a n d M a i n t e n a n c e of Sprin-

lder Systems, gives detailed information on m a i n t e n a n c e procedures.
A - 1 7 - 2 1 1 1 . Attention is directed to the i m p o r t a n c e of h a v i n g an a d e q u a t e

n u m b e r of c o m p e t e n t a t t e n d a n t s at all times w h e n the place of public assembly
is occupied.
A - 1 7 - 2 1 2 1 . Securely supported altar candles in churches, well separated from

a n y c o m b u s t i b l e material, m a y bc permitted. O n the other h a n d , lighted candles
carried by children wearing cotton robes p r e s e n t a h a z a r d too great to be per-
m i r e d even for t h e most worthy cause. T h e r e are m a n y other situations of in-
t e r m e d i a t e h a z a r d w h e r e the a u t h o r i t y h a v i n g jurisdiction will h a v e to exercise
judgment.
A - 1 7 - 3 1 1 1 . T h e r e q u i r e m e n t s are of necessity generM in scope, as it is appre-

ciated they m u s t apply to all types of schools as well as conditions of occu-
pancies, such as t r u a n t schools, schools for mentally defective, the blind, deaf,
a n d d u m b , colleges a n d public schools. It is fully recognized that no one code
c a n meet all the conditions of the various buildings involved a n d it will be neces-
732
sary for some school authorities to issue supplements to these requirements,

but all supplements should be consistent with these requirements.
A - 1 7 - 3 1 1 2 . "Practice drills" may be held during inclement weather. Such
drills would be held at the regular dismissal time, when the pupils are fully
clothed, by using the exit drill alarm signal. With such drills there would be
no necessity of a return signal.
A - 1 7 - 5 1 1 3 . Cards of instruction should be conspicuously posted describing the

procedure of the drills.
A - 1 7 - 5 1 1 4 . If, for any reason, a line becomes blocked, some of the pupils
should be countermarched to another exit in order to prevent panic conditions
arising as a result of inactivity.
A - 1 7 - 5 1 1 8 . Wherever possible, drill lines should not cross a street or highway,

especially where the traffic is heavy. It is r e c o m m e n d e d that where drill lines
must cross roadways, a police officer, school janitor, or a male teacher acting as
a traffic officer be on duty to control traffic during drills.
A - 1 7 - 3 1 3 1 . Particular attention should be given to keeping all doors unlocked,

having doors closed which serve to protect the safety of paths of egress (such as
doors on stairway enclosures) and under no conditions blocked open, keeping
outside stairs and fire escape stairs free from all obstructions and clear of snow
and ice, allowing no accumulation of snow or ice or materials of any kind out-
side exit doors which might prevent the opening of the door or interfere with
rapid escape from the building.
Any condition likely to interfere with safe exit should be immediately corrected
if possible, otherwise reported at once to the appropriate authorities.
A - 1 7 - 4 . Institutional occupants have, in large part, varied degrees of physical
disability, and their removal to the outside, or even disturbance by moving is
inexpedient or impractical in many cases, except as a last resort. Similarly,
recognizing the operating necessity for restraint of the insane and incorrigible
(oftentimes by use of barred windows and locked doors), exit drills are usually
extremely disturbing, detrimental, and frequently impracticable.
In most cases, fire and exit drills as ordinarily practiced in other occupancies
cannot be conducted in institutional occupancies. Fundamentally, superior
construction, early discovery and extinguishment of incipient fires, and p r o m p t
notification, must be relied upon to reduce the occasion for evacuation of build-
ings of this class to a minimum.
Penal and corrective institutions homing those able to walk do not come
within the scope of the hospital fire drill. For them, discipline is such that ha-
" bitual control of the occupancy admits of excellent exit drills along the lines
r e c o m m e n d e d in other sections for industrial establishments or schools. Re-
formatories and asylums should employ a combination of the two drills, de-
pending upon the age of the occupants and the proportions of manual and
educational training. All infirmary sections, sick bays, maternity wards, etc.,
of such institutions should, however, conform to the drill code for institutional
occupancies.
A-17-4111. Regardless of the degree of completeness of the various design
features of this Code, the success of it, as it relates to life safety, still dcpcnds on
effective administration of the institutions for which it is written. Effective
administration should embrace, as a minimum, the following items:
1. T h e development a m o n g those responsible of a thorough understanding of
the building and an awareness of its advantages and limitations as related
to safety from fire.
733
NOTES 101--195
2. The development and administration of an 7adequate fire plan to be used

in the event of fire; it should include training of staff, periodic drills, and
continued evaluation and upgrading of the plan.
3. Routine testing and maintenance of all systems to ensure continuance of
good working order.
4. Adequate staffing at all times for fire emergencies as well as for adequate care.
5. Thorough housekeeping, with particular attention to items which directly
effect safety to life in the event of fire.
6. Proper storage of all supplies, unused equipment, and items of refuse in
such manner as not to create fire hazards or so they do not render fire
alarms or extinguishing systems inoperable or prevent access to them.
7. Preventing fire hazards and promoting safety to life by the establishment of
regulations for both staff and the public in regard to smoking, traffic,
waiting, and loitering.
8. Establishing and maintaining close relationships with local fire-fighting and
control agencies so that they may be acquainted with the buildings, their
content, and administrative procedures carried out therein in order to assist
in preventing or fighting fires.
A-17-4113. Many hospitals conduct fire exit drills without disturbing patients
by advance planning in the choice of location of the simulated emergency and
closing doors to patients' rooms or wards in the vicinity prior to the initiation of
the drill.
Convalescent patients should be removed from involved zones lest their
curiosity or anxiety hamper fire brigade activity, or cause themselves injury.
All sections should be assured of a necessary complement of doctors, nurses,
attendants, and other employees in reserve in readiness to assist in the transfer
of bed patients to less exposed areas or sections.
A-17-4125. Monitors should be provided with the necessary keys to operate
all locks on detention rooms and wards, ward exits, and other egress doors.
A-17-4141. The most rigid discipline with regard to prohibition of smoking

may not be nearly so effective in reducing incipient fires from surreptitious
smoking as the open recognition of smoking, with provision of suitable facilities
for smoking. Proper education and training of the staff and attendants in the
ordinary fire hazards and their abatement is unquestionably essential. The
problem is a broad one, variable with different types and arrangement of build-
ings; and the effectiveness of rules of procedure, necessarily flexible, depends in
large part upon the management.
A-17-4151. The use of draperies of inherently noncombustible material is

recommended.
Acoustical material applied aa interior finish is covered by 10-135.
A-17-5111. The exact nature of this emergency organization must of neces-

sity bc governed by such factors as the number of available employees, the struc-
tural conditions, the degree of compliance with this Code, and other elements
pertinent to the individual situation.
In order to be efficient, any such organization must depend upon:
a. A definite working plan.
b. Competent leadership.
c. Rigid discipline.
d. Maintenance of necessary apparatus.
734
e. A schedule of sufficient training under discipline with such apparatus.

It will be found advisable to secure the cooperation of local fire department
omcials in developing and training such organization of employees.
A-17-5112. It is recommended that emergencies be assumed to have arisen
at various locations in the occupancy, in order to train employees in logical
procedure.
735
101-197
A P P E N D I X B.
The following Standards contain recommendations which supplement the

provisions of the Life Safety Code. The Standards are available from the
National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch Street, Boston, Mas-
sachusetts 02110.
Std. No. Title

10 Installation of Portable Fire Extinguishers, 1965
10A Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, 1965
11 Foam Extinguishing Systems, 1963
12 Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, 1964
13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 1965
13A Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems, 1958
14 Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 1963
15 Water Spray Systems for Fire Protection, 1962
17 Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems, 1958
20 Installation of Centrifugal Fire Pumps, 1965
30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 1963
31 Installation of Oil Burning Equipment, 1965
40 Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film, 1962
54 Installation of Gas Appliances and Gas Piping in Buildings, 1964
56 Flammable Anesthetics Code, 1965
565 Nonflammable Medical Gas Systems, 1962
58 Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases, 1965
61A Prevention of Dust Explosions in Starch Factories, 1962
61B Prevention of Dust Explosions in Terminal Grain Elevators, 1.959
61C Prevention of Dust Explosions in Flour and Feed Mills, Allied Grain
Storage Elevators, 1962
62 Dust Hazards of Pulverized Sugar and Cocoa, 1959
651 Prevention of Dust Explosions in Aluminum Powder Manufacture, 1963
652 Explosion and Fire Protection in Plants Handling Magnesium Powder
or Dust, 1959
654 Prevention of Dust Explosions in the Plastics Industry, 1963
656 Prevention of Dust Ignitions in Spice Grinding Plants, 1959
657 Prevention of Dust Explosions in Confectionery Manufacturing Plants,
1959
664 Prevention of Dust Explosions in Woodworking and Wood Flour Manu-
facturing Plants, 1962
68 Explosion Venting Guide, 1954
70 National Electrical Code, 1965
71 Central Station Protective Signaling Systems, 1964
72A Local Protective Signaling Systems, 1964
72B Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems, 1965
72C Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems, 1964
72D Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems, 1965
76 Protection of Electrical Systems for Hospitals, 1965
80 Installation of Fire Doors and Windows, 1965
82,82A Incinerators and Rubbish Handling, 1960
85 Prevention of Furnace Explosions in Fuel Oil and Natural Gas-Fired
Watertube Boiler-Furnaces with One Burner, 1965
87 Construction and Protection of Piers and Wharves, 1963
736
88 Garages, 1962
89M Clearances for Heat Producing Appliances, 1964
90A Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems (Non-Resi-
dential), 1965
90B Installation of Residence Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning
Systems, 1965
91 Installation of Blower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock and Vapor
Removal or Conveying, 1961
96 Ventilation of Restaurant Cooking Equipment, 1964
102 Places of Outdoor Assembly, Grandstands and Tents, 1957
204 Smoke and Heat Venting Guide, 1961
211 Chinmeys, Fireplaces and Venting Systems, 1964
220 Standard Types of Building Construction, 1961
231 Indoor General Storage, 1965
241 Standard for Safeguarding Building Construction Operations, 1958
251 Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, 1963
252 Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies, 1958
255 Tests of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, 1961
409 Aircraft Hangars, 1965
501A Fire Protection in Trailer Courts, 1964
501B Fire Protection in Mobile Homes and Travel Trailers, 1964
701 Test Methods for Flameproofed Textiles, 1951
703 Fire Retardant Treatments for Building Materials, 1961

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Report of Committee on Safety to Life

Sectional Committee on Assembly and Educational Occupancies

Sectional Committee on Exits and Exitways

Sectional Committee on Mercantile and Office Occupancies

Sectional Committee on Residential Occupancies

The Safety to Life Committee presents for official adoption a

Realizing that the Code is used primarily as a supplement to

Most of the material in Chapter 5 has been rewritten to make it

C h a p t e r 4. Classification o f O c c u p a n c y and H a z a r d of C o n t e n t s 101-13

C h a p t e r 5. Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-18

C h a p t e r 6. Features of Fire P r o t e c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . 101-55

C h a p t e r 9. Educational Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-83

C h a p t e r 13. Office O c c u p a n c i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101-136

Code for Safety to Life from

SECTION I-3. SCOPE

1-3112. Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prohibit a

Where there are no specific provisions in this Code for existing

confusion with an e x i t a n d the resultant danger of persons en-

fire escapes, or ladders, arranged in accordance with the general

2-212. Repairs or Alterations

. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the following terms shall, for

A p a r t m e n t House: See 11-0001.

Approved: (1) Materials, devices or construction - - accepted

Area: See Floor Area.

A u t h o r i t y H a v i n g Jurisdiction: The duly authorized repre-

Automatic: As applied to fire-protection devices, a device or

Basement: A n y story or floor level below the main or street floor.

Building: A structure enclosed with exterior walls or fire walls

Combustible: Capable of undergoing combusEion.

Combustion: Any chemical process that involves oxidation suf-

Court: An open, uncovered and unoccupied space, unobstructed

Escalator: A moving stairway. See 5-8.

Existing: T h a t which is already in existence at the date when

Exit: See 5-1121.

Exit Access: See 5-1121.

Exit Discharge: See 5-1121.

Fire Door: A fire-resistive door assembly, including frame and

Fire E n d u r a n c e : A measure of the elapsed time (luring which a

Fire Exposure: The subjection of a material or construction to

Fire Resistance:..,The property of a material or assembly to

F l a m e S p r e a d : Flaming combustion along a surface.

F l a m m a b l e : Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming com-

Flight of Stairs: A combination of consecutive treads and risers

Floor Area, Gross: For the purpose of determining the number

Floor Area, Net: For the purpose of determining the number of

Floor Level: T h e upper surfacc of the lower floor of a story,

Grade: T h e average elevation of the ground, paved or unpaved,

G u a r d : A vertical barrier erected along exposed edges such as of

H a n d r a i l : A bar or pipe to furnish persons with a handhold.

H a z a r d o u s Areas: Areas of structures, buildings or parts thereof,

H o r i z o n t a l Exit: See 5-5.

Hospital: See 10--0001.

Means of Egress: See 5-1121.

New: T h a t which is constructed, erected, or installed subsequent

N o n c o m b u s t i b l e : As applied to building construction material

c. Materials, other than as described in (a) or (b), having a sur-

Nursing Home: See 10-0001.