Fire escapes on old multiple dwellings permitted as a second means of egress
Source version current through Sep 15, 2021
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Fire escapes installed on old multiple dwellings prior to July 1, 1953, and permitted as a second means of egress, shall conform to the following rules and regulations: (see § 1505.5 below for requirements governing such fire escapes installed on old multiple dwellings on and after July 1, 1953).
(a)Access.
Balconies shall be accessible from the interior space through a clear opening whose minimum dimensions are two feet wide and two feet six inches high.
(b)Enclosures and guard railings.
(1)Balconies shall be at least 31 inches wide with a railing at least 33 inches high.
(2)Stairs shall have a braced handrail at a minimum height of 27 inches above the center of tread, on at least the open side.
(c)Stairways and balconies.
(1)Balconies shall be connected by stairs with steps at least 17 inches in length, inclined at a maximum angle of 80 degrees with the horizontal, and affording safe transit.
(2)The lowest balcony shall have no floor opening unless a stair, fixed or counterbalanced, leads from such opening to a safe landing.
(3)When the lowest balcony is more than five feet above a safe landing, there shall be either a fixed or counterbalanced stair, or a drop ladder whose rungs can sustain without failure a load of 250 pounds at their center, and are spaced 12 inches or less on centers.
(4)There shall be a ladder or stairs affording safe egress from the top balcony to the roof except where the pitch of the roof exceeds 15 degrees with the horizontal and except where a roof cornice interferes with its installation.
(d)Clearances.
(1)Balconies shall have a 14-inch minimum clear horizontal passageway past the stairwell opening.
(2)Balconies shall have a 20-inch minimum clear platform width at each end of stair runs.
(e)Specific requirements.
(1)Such fire escapes shall be of incombustible material other than cast iron.
(2)Such fire escapes shall be capable of sustaining without failure a uniform live load of 80 pounds per square foot of balcony. Stair treads shall be capable of sustaining without failure a concentrated load of 250 pounds applied at the center of tread.
(f)Maintenance.
Such fire escapes shall be maintained in good order and repair, and be structurally safe and kept free of obstruction.