Fire safety rules for existing business buildings

For an existing business building: (1) Automatic sprinkler system. (A) An automatic sprinkler system must be provided throughout the entire existing business building. The installation of the system must be in accordance with the building code. (B) This subdivision does shall not apply to a telecommunications building for which the council approves a fire safety agreement* that includes the following requirements: (i) All exit stairwells are automatically pressurized for smoke control when the fire alarm system activates; (ii) Smoke seals are installed on all exit stairwell doors and exit stairwell door frames; (iii) Smoke detectors are provided in all offices or other occupied spaces; (iv) All exit stairwells that service floors located more than 100 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have a standpipe system; (v) The maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher in the building is 50 feet; and (vi) Other requirements for the protection of public safety. (C) For the purposes of this subdivision, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Access Tandem. A switching system that: (i) Provides a traffic concentration and distribution function for interstate telecommunications services originating from or terminating in the State; and (ii) Enables any person engaged for hire in providing interstate telecommunications services to reach all local telecommunications users through facilities connected to all central offices in the State. Central Office. A switching unit having the necessary equipment and operating arrangements for terminating or interconnecting access lines, toll lines, and trunks. Enhanced 911 Switch. A switch that permits a wire line telecommunications user to call emergency services through a public safety answering point operated by an authorized government entity that includes the ability to provide automatic number identification to enable the public safety answering point to call the wire line telecommunications user if the call is disconnected, and automatic location identification for emergency service providers to identify the listed address or geographic location of the wire line telecommunications user. Interstate Telecommunications Services. Telecommunications services between a point located in the State and a point located outside the State. Telecommunications Building. Any existing business building with a central office used by a telecommunications carrier to provide telecommunications services, provided that the building contains: (i) An access tandem; or (ii) An enhanced 911 switch. Telecommunications Carrier. Any person that owns, operates, manages, or controls any facility used to furnish telecommunications services for profit to the public, or to classes of users so as to be effectively available to the public, engaged in the provision of services, such as voice, data, image, graphics, and video services, that make use of all or part of the person’s transmission facilities, switches, broadcast equipment, signaling, or control devices. Telecommunications Services. The offering of transmission between or among points specified by a user, of information of the user’s choosing, including voice, data, image, graphics, and video without change in the form or content of the information, as sent and received, by means of electromagnetic transmission, or other similarly effective means of transmission, with or without benefit of any closed transmission medium; provided that the term does not include the one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming or other programming service, regardless of whether subscriber interaction is required for the selection of video programming or other programming service. (D) If a building ceases to be a telecommunications building, the building owner or an authorized representative shall notify the fire chief in writing within 60 days that the building is no longer a telecommunications building, and shall submit with the notice a schedule for compliance with this subsection. A building that ceases to be a telecommunications building must comply with this subsection within three years following the date the notice and schedule for compliance with this subsection are received by the chief. (2) Smoke detectors. Smoke detectors must be provided in every mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment, elevator, machine or similar room, and in elevator lobbies. The installation of the smoke detectors must be in accordance with the building code. Smoke detectors must be connected to an automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the fire code. (3) Corridor doors. All doors opening into interior exit corridors must be in accordance with the building code; except that 1.75-inch bonded, solid-core wood doors need not be replaced. (4) Exit stairwell doors. All stairwell doors, which are to be locked to prevent entry from the stairwell side, must be automatically unlocked without unlatching when the fire alarm system activates or upon power failure. (5) Fire alarm systems. When actuated, fire alarm-initiating devices must activate an alarm signal that is audible throughout the existing business building or in designated portions of the building when approved by the fire chief. The alarm signal must be a distinctive sound that is not used for any purpose other than the fire alarm. Fire alarm-initiating devices must be connected to an annunciator panel that is located in the first floor lobby area or other area approved by the fire chief. (6) Emergency power. Emergency power must be provided for exit signs, exit illuminations, and fire alarm systems. Emergency power must be supplied by a generator or an approved battery or other approved source of energy. (7) Emergency plan. The management or owner of each existing business building shall establish and maintain a written fire and life safety emergency plan, which is to be reviewed by the fire chief and which is updated annually. The fire chief shall develop written criteria and guidelines upon which all plans are based. (8) Exiting plans and placards. (A) Exiting plans. Exiting plans that are to be reviewed by the fire chief must be posted on each floor at each elevator lobby. (B) Placards. Placards with exit instructions for elevators and stairwells and other placards must be posted in locations approved by the fire chief. (9) Fire drills. The management or owner of each existing business building shall conduct fire drills for staff and employees at least once every 180 days. A written record of each drill must be maintained in the management office of the building and made available to the fire chief for review. Editor’s note: * A fire safety agreement is attached to Ord. 02-65 as “Exhibit A” and is on file with the office of the city clerk.