405.4 Emergency Preparedness in Homeless Shelters and Emergency Shelters

Group R-1 residential buildings or occupancies operated or occupied as a homeless shelter, and any emergency shelter, shall comply with the emergency preparedness requirements of this section.

A comprehensive fire safety and emergency action plan in accordance with FC401.4 shall be prepared for:

1. a high-rise Group R-1 homeless shelter.
2. a Group R-1 homeless shelter that is provided with voice communication capability, and either has a total of more than fifty rooms above street level or has communal sleeping facilities above street level occupied or designed to be occupied by a total of more than fifty lodgers.

The comprehensive fire safety and emergency action plan required by FC405.4.1 shall designate fire and life safety staff in accordance with FC405.2.2.

A fire and emergency preparedness plan in accordance with FC401.5 shall be prepared for a Group R-1 building or occupancy operated or occupied as a homeless shelter (other than buildings and occupancies subject to FC405.4.1), and any emergency shelter.

The fire and emergency preparedness plan required by FC405.4.3 shall designate an FEP shelter coordinator and a sufficient number of deputy FEP shelter coordinators, with such qualifications, duties and authority as set forth in the rules.

The FEP shelter coordinator and deputy FEP shelter coordinators designated in the fire and emergency preparedness plan shall hold an FEP shelter coordinator certificate of fitness, and shall have the following duties and responsibilities and such other duties and responsibilities as prescribed by rule:

1. The FEP shelter coordinator shall be present in the building at all times while the building is occupied. When the FEP shelter coordinator is absent, a deputy FEP shelter coordinator shall be present in the building and shall perform the duties of the FEP shelter coordinator.
2. In the event of a fire, a medical emergency or other non-fire emergency, the FEP shelter coordinator shall report to the fire command center or designated alternative location, and, if appropriate, implement the fire and emergency preparedness plan in accordance with its terms and the provisions of the rules, and notify arriving emergency response personnel and incident commander of the fire or non-fire emergency, the building response thereto, and the building's fire protection systems.
3. The FEP shelter coordinator and deputy FEP shelter coordinators designated shall be fully familiar with the provisions of the fire and emergency preparedness plan. The FEP shelter coordinator shall conduct staff training and fire and non-fire emergency drills required by FC401.

Buildings or parts thereof occupied or operated to be occupied by emergency shelters shall be continuously patrolled by a fire guard. Every area of the building shall be patrolled at least once every hour.