§ 35-5-213. FIRE SAFETY AND PROTECTION.

(a)

Fire safety.

(1)

This subsection establishes the minimum standards for fire safety facilities and equipment.

(2)

All structures shall be constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards and in a manner conducive to fire safety.

(3)

A property owner shall:

(i)

Provide a safe, continuous, and unobstructed means of egress from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a street, yard, court, or passageway leading to a public open area at grade;

(ii)

Provide from each housing unit access directly to the outside or to a common area that leads directly to the outside;

(iii)

Provide doors in the required means of egress that are easily opened from the inside;

(iv)

Maintain fire escapes in working condition and structurally sound;

(v)

Make exit signs illuminated and visible; and

(vi)

Provide for each sleeping room located in a basement:

1.

At least one openable window that has received all required approvals or an exterior door for emergency egress or rescue that has received all required approvals; or

2.

Access to two separate exits that have received all required approvals.

(b)

Fire protection.

(1)

The property owner shall maintain all fire protection systems and equipment in proper operating condition at all times.

(2)

The property owner shall:

(i)

Provide all housing units with smoke detectors as required under applicable codes; and

(ii)

Maintain the smoke detectors in working order.

(3)

If a housing unit is equipped with a fire suppression system, the property owner shall:

(i)

Maintain the system in good condition, free from mechanical defect; and

(ii)

Keep sprinkler heads clean and free of corrosion and paint and not bent or damaged.

(4)

If a housing unit is equipped with portable fire extinguishers, the property owner shall keep the fire extinguishers visible and accessible and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition.

(5)

(i)

The property owner shall maintain all required fire-resistance rated doors or smoke barriers in good working order, including all hardware necessary for their proper operation.

(ii)

The use of door stops, wedges, and other hold open devices that have not received the approval of the Code Official is prohibited.

(c)

Residential unit in structure having flammable liquids.

(1)

Except as provided for in the Building Code or other applicable codes, a housing unit may not be located within a structure that contains an establishment that handles, dispenses, or stores flammable liquids with a flash point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

(2)

The property owner shall maintain floors, walls, ceilings, and other elements and components that are required by the applicable fire code to comply with a fire-resistance rating so that the fire-resistance rating of the enclosure, separation, or construction is preserved.

(1988 Code, §§ 18-82, 18-83, 18-84) (Bill No. 25-01, § 2, 7-1-2004)