High-Rise Hotels
New Codes
General Fire Safety Information
Ted Erb
Fire Prevention Officer
Bellevue Fire Department
April 25 2013
Rooftop Gardens &
Landscaped Roofs
• Limited to 15,625 s.f. and not to exceed 125’ in length or
width
• Minimum 6’ continuous border between all rooftop
equipment
• Must be irrigated
• Dead foliage removed at least 2x/year
• Maintenance plan may be required
Luminescent Stair signs
A sign shall be provided at each floor landing in an interior exit stairway and ramp
connecting more than three stories designating all of the following:
• Identification of the stair or ramp
• Floor level
• Terminus of the top and bottom of the interior exit stairway and ramp
• Availability of roof access from the interior exit stairway and ramp for the fire
department
• Direction to the exit discharge
The sign shall be located 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor landing in a position that is
readily visible when the doors are in the open and closed positions.
In addition to the stairway identification sign, a floor-level sign in raised characters and
Braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor level landing adjacent
to the door leading from the interior exit stairway and ramp into the corridor to
identify the floor level.
In new and existing high-rise buildings, these signs must be luminescent
• General Building Info
• Property name
• Address
• # of floors (above and below grade)
• Use and occupancy classification
• Estimated building population (i.e. day, night, weekend)
• Building emergency contact info
• Building construction information
• Exit Stair information
• Location of mechanical rooms, building management
systems, fuel tanks, generators, natural gas service
• Fire protection system info
• Hazardous material information
Building
Information
Cards
Solar Photovoltaic systems
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New in the 2012 International Fire Code
Requires Identification
Access and pathways for Fire Department use
Washington State has not yet adopted these requirements –
likely to go into effect July 2014.
• Some cities may adopt now
• If you are contemplating a system, please consult with the fire
department early in the planning process
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
January 1, 2013, state law requires CO alarms be installed in hotels,
motels and other locations
Sleeping units or dwelling units do not themselves contain a fuelburning appliance, or a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached
garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance,
or a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage, need not be
provided with CO alarms provided that:
• The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not adjacent to any room
that contains a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace,
or an attached garage; and
• The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work
or ventilation shafts with a supply or return register in the same
room to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fuelburning fireplace, or to an attached garage; and
• The building has a common area CO alarm system.
Emergency Lighting
Equipment
Emergency lighting activation monthly
• Verify automatic activation upon normal electrical disconnect and remain
sufficiently illuminated for a minimum of 30 seconds
• Verification records remain on site for a minimum of 3 years and shall include:
• Date of test
• Location of lighting tested
• Pass/Fail
• Person completing the test
• Battery-powered systems shall be tested annually
• Lighting shall remain sufficiently illuminated for 90 minutes
• Verification records – same as above
Existing Elevators - FYI
Existing elevators with a travel distance of 25’ or more
above or below the main floor and intended to serve
the needs of emergency personnel for fire-fighting or
rescue purposes shall be provided with emergency
operation in accordance with ASME 17.3
In Building Radio System
• Required in all new and existing buildings –
except
– When approved and building has firefighter telephones
– When Fire Chief determines coverage isn’t needed
– When use would have an adverse impact on building
operations (e.g. telephone switching building)
• The above criteria likely modified at local level
– check with your fire department!
Emergency Planning & Preparedness
• Do you have a Fire Safety & Evacuation Plan?
• Do you have an Emergency Operations Plan (Bellevue)
• Do you train your employees?
– On the contents of the fire safety and evacuation plan and
their duties when they are hired and annually thereafter?
– Fire hazards
– Fire alarm signals, evacuation routes, areas of refuge,
exterior assembly areas
– Location and use of Fire Extinguishers
– When hired?
– Annually?
• Do you perform annual evacuation drills?
Confidence Testing
Impairments
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Do you have an impairment coordinator?
Do you have a preplanned impairment plan/program?
Do you have tags for impaired systems?
Do you notify the fire department when you have an
impairment? When the system is restored?
Storage – in all the wrong places
Operational Permits Required
Fire Code specifies 46 required operational permits – if
pertinent code provisions can be met a permit may be
issued. Some examples:
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Exhibit and Trade Shows
Hazardous materials (in use or storage) over exempt amounts
Hot works (cutting/welding/grinding)
In Building Radio System (Bellevue)
Place of assembly
Fees? Up to the jurisdiction to determine (BFD =
$100.00/permit/year)
Events/Special Events
• Are you using part of your building/property for a
purpose other that what it was designed for?
Examples:
– Haunted house in your parking garage?
– Car show in your lobby
• Are you hosting a trade or convention involving
exhibits?
• Check with the Fire Department (well in advance)
– you may need their approval and permits!