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Section 1103 Fire and Life Safety Protection
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Historic buildings undergoing alterations, changes of occupancy, or that are moved shall comply with Section 1103.
Every historic building that does not conform to the construction requirements specified in this code for the occupancy or use and that does not safeguard occupancy or use from the hazard of fire and explosion shall be provided with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system as determined appropriate by the code enforcement official. However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits from any facility.
Existing door openings and corridor and stairway widths less than those specified elsewhere in this code may be approved, provided that there is sufficient width and height for a person to pass through the opening or traverse the means of egress. When approved by the code enforcement official, the front or main exit doors need not swing in the direction of the path of exit travel, provided that other approved means of egress having sufficient capacity to serve the total occupant load are provided.
In fully sprinklered buildings of Group R-1, R-2, R-3, or B occupancy, existing transoms in corridors and other fire-resistance-rated walls may be maintained if fixed in the closed position. A sprinkler shall be installed on each side of the transom.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1105.8 shall be accepted in unsprinklered buildings.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1105.8 shall be accepted in unsprinklered buildings.
Historic wall and ceiling finishes identified in Section 1101.2 shall be accepted.
In buildings of less than four stories, exit enclosure construction shall limit the spread of smoke by the use of tight-fitting doors and solid elements. Such elements are not required to have a fire-resistance rating.
Exception: An enclosure for one existing stair in the building may be omitted where such stair:
Exception: An enclosure for one existing stair in the building may be omitted where such stair:
- is identified in Section 1101.2 and
- serves only one adjacent floor, and
- is limited to connecting two levels.
Where 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction is required by these provisions, it need not be provided, where the existing wall and ceiling finish is wood or metal lath and plaster.
Historic glazing materials in interior walls required to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating may be permitted when provided with approved smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system.
Grand stairways shall be permitted to remain without complying with the handrail and guard requirements. Existing handrails and guards at all stairs shall be permitted to remain, provided they are not structurally dangerous.
Existing guards shall comply with the requirements of Section 505.
The spacing between existing intermediate railings or openings in existing ornamental patterns shall be permitted to remain. Missing elements or members of a guard may be replaced to match historic features.
Where exit sign or egress path marking location would damage the historic character or contributing historic features identified in Section 1101.2, alternative exit signs are permitted with approval of the code enforcement official or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Alternative signs shall identify the exits and egress path.
Every historical building that does not conform to the construction requirements specified in the Building Code of New York State for the occupancy or use and that does not safeguard the occupancy from the hazard of fire and explosion shall be deemed to be in compliance if provided with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code of New York State.
However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits or total capacity from any facility.
However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits or total capacity from any facility.
Existing paneled doors that are a contributing historic feature and are located in corridors required to have a one-hour rating may remain provided that:
- the doors are tight-fitting and
- the building is equipped with a quick response automatic sprinkler system and
- a quick response sprinkler head is located at each side of the door.
In buildings less than 3, 500 square feet/floor (325 m2) and less than four stories in height, an existing historic wall or floor/ceiling assembly identified in Section 1101.2 may remain, provided that all vertical and horizontal penetrations are protected and the entire building is equipped with an approved automatic fire alarm and smoke or heat detection system in accordance with Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State.
Exception: Group A-2 and H occupancies and areas where open flames are used or commercial cooking occurs as defined in the Fire Code of New York State.
Exception: Group A-2 and H occupancies and areas where open flames are used or commercial cooking occurs as defined in the Fire Code of New York State.
Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors shall comply with the Fire Code of New York State.
Related Code Sections
Section 1103 Historic Buildings, Fire and Life Safety Protection
remain, provided that all vertical and horizontal penetrations are protected and the entire building is equipped with an approved automatic fire alarm ...
Section 503 Repairs, Fire and Life Safety Protection
Repairs shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of fire protection provided ...
Section 904 Change of Occupancy, Fire and Life-Safety Protection
Fire protection requirements of Section 912 shall apply where a building or portions thereof undergo a change of occupancy classification ...
Section J1003 Existing Buildings and Structures, Fire and Life-Safety Protection
Relocated or moved buildings shall comply with this section ...
2010 Residential Code of NY > J Existing Buildings and Structures > J1003 Fire and Life-Safety Protection
Section J902 Existing Buildings and Structures, Fire and Life-Safety Protection
Historic buildings undergoing repairs, alterations, changes of occupancy or that are relocated shall comply with this section ...
2010 Residential Code of NY > J Existing Buildings and Structures > J902 Fire and Life-Safety Protection