Reporting of emergencies, coordination with emergency response forces, emergency plans and procedures for managing or responding to emergencies shall comply with the provisions of this section.
Where required by this code, fire safety plans, emergency procedures and employee training programs shall be approved by the fire code official.
Submittals shall be prepared by a qualified engineer, specialist, laboratory or fire safety specialty organization acceptable to the fire code official. The cover sheet of the submittal shall include a signature line by the preparer with the following statement:
"I have prepared this report and by personal knowledge and on-site observation certify that this plan, to the best of my knowledge, complies with the requirements of the code."
Submittals shall be prepared by a qualified engineer, specialist, laboratory or fire safety specialty organization acceptable to the fire code official. The cover sheet of the submittal shall include a signature line by the preparer with the following statement:
"I have prepared this report and by personal knowledge and on-site observation certify that this plan, to the best of my knowledge, complies with the requirements of the code."
In the event an unwanted fire occurs on a property, the owner or occupant shall immediately report such condition to the fire department.
Upon activation of a fire alarm signal, employees or staff shall immediately notify the fire department.
A person shall not, by verbal or written directive, require any delay in the reporting of a fire to the fire department.
In the event an unwanted fire is detected in a building or a fire alarm activates, the emergency plan shall be implemented.
A person shall not give, signal or transmit a false alarm.
The sounding of a fire alarm signal and the carrying out of an emergency evacuation drill in accordance with the provisions of Section 405 shall be allowed.
Evacuations made necessary by the unplanned activation of a fire alarm system or by any other emergency shall not be substituted for a required evacuation drill.
It shall be unlawful to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or restrict the mobility of or block the path of travel of a fire department emergency vehicle in any way, or to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or hamper any fire department operation.
In the case of any two false or nuisance alarms, or combination
thereof, within a thirty day period, the fire code official may issue warning notices to the owners or occupants of the
building and to the alarm business or businesses responsible for the service, maintenance and monitoring of the
system. This notice shall indicate that any additional false or nuisance alarms within a thirty day period will be
subject to the fees prescribed in this code. When the owner or occupant fails to correct the fire protection system
that initiates the false alarm and/or nuisance alarms within thirty calendar days from the issue date on a Notice of
Violation prepared by the Fire Prevention Bureau, additional inspection fees shall apply.
In addition to the requirements of Section 401, occupancies, uses and outdoor locations shall comply with the emergency preparedness requirements set forth in Sections 403.2 through 403.12.3.3. Where a fire safety and evacuation plan is required by Sections 403.2 through 403.11.5, evacuation drills shall be in accordance with Section 405 and employee training shall be in accordance with Section 406.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group A occupancies, other than those occupancies used exclusively for purposes of religious worship with an occupant load less than 2,000, and for buildings containing both a Group A occupancy and an atrium. Group A occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.2.1 through 403.2.4.
In addition to the requirements of Section 404.2, the fire safety and evacuation plans for assembly occupancies shall include a detailed seating plan, occupant load and occupant load limit. Deviations from the approved plans shall be allowed provided that the occupant load limit for the occupancy is not exceeded and the aisles and exit accessways remain unobstructed.
In theaters, motion picture theaters, auditoriums and similar assembly occupancies in Group A used for noncontinuous programs, an audible announcement shall be made not more than 10 minutes prior to the start of each program to notify the occupants of the location of the exits to be used in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Exception: In motion picture theaters, the announcement is allowed to be projected on the screen in a manner approved by the fire code official.
Fire watch personnel shall be provided where required by Section 403.12.1.
Crowd managers shall be provided where required by Section 403.12.3.
Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with the requirements of Sections 401, 403.3.1 through 403.3.4 and 404 through 406.
The fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 shall include a description of special staff actions. This shall include procedures for stabilizing patients in a defend-in-place response, staged evacuation, or full evacuation in conjunction with the entire building if part of a multitenant facility.
A copy of the plan shall be maintained at the facility at all times. The plan shall include all of the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404:
- Locations of patients who are rendered incapable of self-preservation.
- Maximum number of patients rendered incapable of self-preservation.
- Area and extent of each ambulatory care facility.
- Location of adjacent smoke compartments or refuge areas, where required.
- Path of travel to adjacent smoke compartments.
- Location of any special locking, delayed egress or access control arrangements.
Employees shall be periodically instructed and kept informed of their duties and responsibilities under the plan. Records of instruction shall be maintained. Such instruction shall be reviewed by the staff not less than every two months. A copy of the plan shall be readily available at all times within the facility.
Emergency evacuation drills shall comply with Section 405.
Exception: The movement of patients to safe areas or to the exterior of the building is not required.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for buildings containing a Group B occupancy where the Group B occupancy has an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge and for buildings having an ambulatory care facility.
The first emergency evacuation drill of each school year shall be conducted within 10 days of the beginning of classes.
Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted at different hours of the day or evening, during the changing of classes, when the school is at assembly, during the recess or gymnastic periods, or during other times to avoid distinction between drills and actual fires.
Outdoor assembly areas shall be designated and shall be located a safe distance from the building being evacuated so as to avoid interference with fire department operations. The assembly areas shall be arranged to keep each class separate to provide accountability of all individuals.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for buildings containing a Group F occupancy where any of the following conditions apply:
- The Group F occupancy has an occupant load of 500 or more persons.
- The Group F occupancy has an occupant load of more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
- Group F pallet manufacturing and recycling facilities as required by Section 2810.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group H occupancies.
In addition to the requirements of Section 404 and Section 407.6, plans and diagrams shall be maintained in approved locations indicating the approximate plan for each area, the amount and type of HPM stored, handled and used, locations of shutoff valves for HPM supply piping, emergency telephone locations and locations of exits.
The plans and diagrams required by Sections 404, 403.7.1.1 and 407.6 shall be maintained up to date and the fire code official and fire department shall be informed of major changes.
Responsible persons shall be designated as an on-site emergency response team and trained to be liaison personnel for the fire department. These persons shall aid the fire department in preplanning emergency responses, identifying locations where HPM is stored, handled and used, and be familiar with the chemical nature of such material. An adequate number of personnel for each work shift shall be designated.
Emergency drills of the on-site emergency response team shall be conducted on a regular basis but not less than once every three months. Records of drills conducted shall be maintained.
The fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 shall include special employee actions, including fire protection procedures necessary for residents, and shall be amended or revised upon admission of any resident with unusual needs.
The fire evacuation plan required by Section 404 shall include a description of special staff actions. In addition to the requirements of Section 404, plans in Group I-1, Condition 2 occupancies shall include procedures for evacuation through a refuge area in an adjacent smoke compartment and then to an exterior assembly point.
A copy of the fire safety plan shall be maintained at the facility at all times. Plans shall include the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404:
- Location and number of resident sleeping rooms.
- Location of special locking or egress control arrangements.
Employees shall be periodically instructed and kept informed of their duties and responsibilities under the plan. Such instruction shall be reviewed by employees at intervals not exceeding two months. A copy of the plan shall be readily available at all times within the facility.
Residents capable of assisting in their own evacuation shall be trained in the proper actions to take in the event of a fire. In Group I-1, Condition 2 occupancies, training shall include evacuation through an adjacent smoke compartment and then to an exterior assembly point. The training shall include actions to take if the primary escape route is blocked. Where the resident is given rehabilitation or habilitation training, methods of fire prevention and actions to take in the event of a fire shall be a part of the rehabilitation training program. Residents shall be trained to assist each other in case of fire to the extent their physical and mental abilities permit them to do so without additional personal risk.
In addition to the evacuation drills required in Section 405.2, employees shall participate in drills an additional two times a year on each shift. Twelve drills with all occupants shall be conducted in the first year of operation. Drills are not required to comply with the time requirements of Section 405.4.
Drill times are not required to comply with Section 405.4.
Emergency evacuation drills shall involve the actual evacuation of residents to a selected assembly point and shall provide residents with experience in exiting through all required exits. All required exits shall be used during emergency evacuation drills.
In severe climates, the fire code official shall have the authority to modify the emergency evacuation drill frequency specified in Section 405.2.
The fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404 shall include a description of special staff actions. Plans shall include all of the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404.
- Procedures for evacuation for patients with needs for containment or restraint and post-evacuation containment, where present.
- A written plan for maintenance of the means of egress.
- Procedure for a defend-in-place strategy.
- Procedures for a full-floor or building evacuation, where necessary.
A copy of the plan shall be maintained at the facility at all times. Plans shall include all of the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404:
- Location and number of patient sleeping rooms and operating rooms.
- Location of adjacent smoke compartments or refuge areas.
- Path of travel to adjacent smoke compartments.
- Location of special locking, delayed egress or access control arrangements.
- Location of elevators utilized for patient movement in accordance with the fire safety plan, where provided.
Emergency evacuation drills shall comply with Section 405.
Exceptions:
- The movement of patients to safe areas or to the exterior of the building is not required.
- Where emergency evacuation drills are conducted after visiting hours or where patients or residents are expected to be asleep, a coded announcement shall be an acceptable alternative to audible alarms.
Employees shall be instructed in the proper use of portable fire extinguishers and other manual fire suppression equipment. Training of new employees shall be provided promptly upon entrance to duty. Refresher training shall be provided not less than annually.
Group I-3 occupancies shall be provided with 24-hour staffing. An employee shall be within three floors or 300 feet (91 440 mm) horizontal distance of the access door of each resident housing area. In Group I-3 Conditions 3, 4 and 5, as defined in Chapter 2, the arrangement shall be such that the employee involved can start release of locks necessary for emergency evacuation or rescue and initiate other necessary emergency actions within 2 minutes of an alarm.
Exception: An employee shall not be required to be within three floors or 300 feet (91 440 mm) horizontal distance of the access door of each resident housing area in areas in which all locks are unlocked remotely and automatically in accordance with Section 408.4 of the International Building Code.
Keys necessary for unlocking doors installed in a means of egress shall be individually identifiable by both touch and sight.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for buildings containing a Group M occupancy where the Group M occupancy has an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge and for buildings containing both a Group M occupancy and an atrium.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group R-1 occupancies. Group R-1 occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.10.1.1 through 403.10.1.3.
A diagram depicting two evacuation routes shall be posted on or immediately adjacent to every required egress door from each hotel or motel sleeping unit.
Upon discovery of a fire or suspected fire, hotel and motel employees shall perform the following duties:
- Activate the fire alarm system, where provided.
- Notify the public fire department.
- Take other action as previously instructed.
Information shall be provided in the fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 to allow guests to decide whether to evacuate to the outside, evacuate to an area of refuge, remain in place, or any combination of the three.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group R-2 college and university buildings. Group R-2 college and university buildings shall comply with Sections 403.10.2.1.1 and 403.10.2.1.2.
The first emergency evacuation drill of each school year shall be conducted within 10 days of the beginning of classes.
Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted at different hours of the day or evening, during the changing of classes, when school is at assembly, during recess or gymnastic periods or during other times to avoid distinction between drills and actual fires. One required drill shall be held during hours after sunset or before sunrise.
Fire emergency guides shall be provided for Group R-2 occupancies. Guide contents, maintenance and distribution shall comply with Sections 403.10.2.2.1 through 403.10.2.2.3.
A fire emergency guide shall describe the location, function and use of fire protection equipment and appliances available for use by residents, including fire alarm systems, smoke alarms and portable fire extinguishers. Guides shall include an emergency evacuation plan for each dwelling unit.
Emergency guides shall be reviewed and approved by the fire code official.
A copy of the emergency guide shall be given to each tenant prior to initial occupancy.
A diagram depicting two evacuation routes shall be posted on or immediately adjacent to every required egress door from each dormitory sleeping unit. Evacuation diagrams shall be reviewed and updated as needed to maintain accuracy.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group R-4 occupancies. Group R-4 occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.10.3.1 through 403.10.3.6.
The fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 shall include special employee actions, including fire protection procedures necessary for residents, and shall be amended or revised upon admission of a resident with unusual needs.
A copy of the plan shall be maintained at the facility at all times. Plans shall include the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404:
- Location and number of resident sleeping rooms.
- Location of special locking or egress control arrangements.
Employees shall be periodically instructed and kept informed of their duties and responsibilities under the plan. Records of instruction shall be maintained. Such instruction shall be reviewed by employees at intervals not exceeding two months. A copy of the plan shall be readily available at all times within the facility.
Residents capable of assisting in their own evacuation shall be trained in the proper actions to take in the event of a fire. The training shall include actions to take if the primary escape route is blocked. Where the resident is given rehabilitation or habilitation training, methods of fire prevention and actions to take in the event of a fire shall be a part of the rehabilitation training program. Residents shall be trained to assist each other in case of fire to the extent their physical and mental abilities permit them to do so without additional personal risk.
In addition to the evacuation drills required in Section 405.2, employees shall participate in drills an additional two times a year on each shift. Twelve drills with all occupants shall be conducted in the first year of operation.
Drill times are not required to comply with Section 405.4.
Emergency evacuation drills shall involve the actual evacuation of residents to a selected assembly point and shall provide residents with experience in exiting through all required exits. All required exits shall be used during emergency evacuation drills.
Exception: Actual exiting from emergency escape and rescue windows shall not be required. Opening the emergency escape and rescue window and signaling for help shall be an acceptable alternative.
Covered and open mall buildings shall comply with the requirements of Sections 403.11.1.1 through 403.11.1.6.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for covered malls exceeding 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) in aggregate floor area and for open mall buildings exceeding 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) in aggregate area within the perimeter line.
In addition to the requirements of Section 404.2.2, a lease plan that includes the following information shall be prepared for each covered and open mall building:
- Each occupancy, including identification of tenant.
- Exits from each tenant space.
- Fire protection features, including the following:
- 3.1. Fire department connections.
- 3.2. Fire command center.
- 3.3. Smoke management system controls.
- 3.4. Elevators, elevator machine rooms and controls.
- 3.5. Hose valve outlets.
- 3.6. Sprinkler and standpipe control valves.
- 3.7. Automatic fire-extinguishing system areas.
- 3.8. Automatic fire detector zones.
- 3.9. Fire barriers.
The lease plan shall be submitted to the fire code official for approval, and shall be maintained on site for immediate reference by responding fire service personnel.
The lease plans shall be revised annually or as often as necessary to keep them current. Modifications or changes in tenants or occupancies shall not be made without prior approval of the fire code official and building official.
Tenant identification shall be provided for secondary exits from occupied tenant spaces that lead to an exit corridor or directly to the exterior of the building. Tenant identification shall be posted on the exterior side of the exit or exit access door and shall identify the business name and address using plainly legible letters and numbers that contrast with their background.
Exception: Tenant identification is not required for anchor stores.
The fire safety and evacuation plan shall provide for compliance with the requirements for unoccupied tenant spaces in Section 311.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for high-rise buildings.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for underground buildings.
In buildings using occupant evacuation elevators in accordance with Section 3008 of the International Building Code, the fire safety and evacuation plan and the training required by Sections 404 and 406, respectively, shall incorporate specific procedures for the occupants using such elevators.
An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared for buildings with high-piled combustible storage in any of the following situations:
- The high-piled storage area exceeds 500,000 square feet (46 450 m2) for Class I-IV commodities.
- The high-piled storage area exceeds 300,000 square feet (27 870 m2) for high-hazard commodities.
- The high-piled storage is located in a Group H occupancy.
- The high-piled storage is located in a Group F occupancy with an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
- The high-piled storage is located in a Group M occupancy with an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
- Where required by the fire code official for other high-piled storage areas.
Special requirements for public safety shall be in accordance with Sections 403.12.1 through 403.12.3.3.
Where, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for public safety in a place of assembly or any other place where people congregate, because of the number of persons, or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display, contest or activity, the owner, agent or lessee shall provide one or more fire watch personnel, as required and approved. Fire watch personnel shall comply with Sections 403.12.1.1 and 403.12.1.2.
Fire watch personnel shall remain on duty while places requiring a fire watch are open to the public, or when an activity requiring a fire watch is being conducted.
On-duty fire watch personnel shall have the following responsibilities:
- Keep diligent watch for fires, obstructions to means of egress and other hazards.
- Take prompt measures for remediation of hazards and extinguishment of fires that occur.
- Take prompt measures to assist in the evacuation of the public from the structures.
Where the fire code official determines that an indoor or outdoor gathering of persons has an adverse impact on public safety through diminished access to buildings, structures, fire hydrants and fire apparatus access roads or where such gatherings adversely affect public safety services of any kind, the fire code official shall have the authority to order the development of or prescribe a public safety plan that provides an approved level of public safety and addresses the following items:
- Emergency vehicle ingress and egress.
- Fire protection.
- Emergency egress or escape routes.
- Emergency medical services.
- Public assembly areas.
- The directing of both attendees and vehicles, including the parking of vehicles.
- Vendor and food concession distribution.
- The need for the presence of law enforcement.
- The need for fire and emergency medical services personnel.
- The need for a weather monitoring person.
Where facilities or events involve a gathering of more than 500 people, crowd managers shall be provided in accordance with Sections 403.12.3.1 through 403.12.3.3.
Not fewer than two trained crowd managers, and not fewer than one trained crowd manager for each 250 persons or portion thereof, shall be provided for the gathering.
Exceptions:
- Outdoor events with fewer than 1,000 persons in attendance shall not require crowd managers.
- Assembly occupancies used exclusively for religious worship with an occupant load not exceeding 1,000 shall not require crowd managers.
- The number of crowd managers shall be reduced where, in the opinion of the fire code official, the fire protection provided by the facility and the nature of the event warrant a reduction.
Training for crowd managers shall be approved.
The duties of crowd managers shall include, but not be limited to:
- Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility and identify and address any egress barriers.
- Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility to identify and mitigate any fire hazards.
- Verify compliance with all permit conditions, including those governing pyrotechnics and other special effects.
- Direct and assist the event attendees in evacuation during an emergency.
- Assist emergency response personnel where requested.
- Other duties required by the fire code official.
- Other duties as specified in the fire safety plan.
Where required by Section 403, fire safety, evacuation and lockdown plans shall comply with Sections 404.2 through 404.4.1.
Fire evacuation plans shall include the following:
- Emergency egress or escape routes and whether evacuation of the building is to be complete by selected floors or areas only or with a defend-in-place response.
- Procedures for employees who must remain to operate critical equipment before evacuating.
- Procedures for the use of elevators to evacuate the building where occupant evacuation elevators complying with Section 3008 of the International Building Code are provided.
- Procedures for assisted rescue for persons unable to use the general means of egress unassisted.
- Procedures for accounting for employees and occupants after evacuation has been completed.
- Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for rescue or emergency medical aid.
- The preferred and any alternative means of notifying occupants of a fire or emergency.
- The preferred and any alternative means of reporting fires and other emergencies to the fire department or designated emergency response organization.
- Identification and assignment of personnel who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.
- A description of the emergency voice/alarm communication system alert tone and preprogrammed voice messages, where provided.
Fire safety plans shall include the following:
- The procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency.
- The life safety strategy including the following:
- 2.1. Procedures for notifying occupants, including areas with a private mode alarm system.
- 2.2. Procedures for occupants under a defend-in-place response.
- 2.3. Procedures for evacuating occupants, including those who need evacuation assistance.
- Site plans indicating the following:
- 3.1. The occupancy assembly point.
- 3.2. The locations of fire hydrants.
- 3.3. The normal routes of fire department vehicle access.
- Floor plans identifying the locations of the following:
- 4.1. Exits.
- 4.2. Primary evacuation routes.
- 4.3. Secondary evacuation routes.
- 4.4. Accessible egress routes.
- 4.4.1. Areas of refuge.
- 4.4.2. Exterior areas for assisted rescue.
- 4.5. Refuge areas associated with smoke barriers and horizontal exits.
- 4.6. Manual fire alarm boxes.
- 4.7. Portable fire extinguishers.
- 4.8. Occupant-use hose stations.
- 4.9. Fire alarm annunciators and controls.
- A list of major fire hazards associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures.
- Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed to prevent or control fires.
- Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance, housekeeping and controlling fuel hazard sources.
Lockdown plans shall only be permitted where such plans are approved by the fire code official and are in compliance with Sections 404.2.3.1 and 404.2.3.2.
Lockdown plans shall include the following:
- Identification of individuals authorized to issue a lockdown order.
- Security measures used during normal operations, when the building is occupied, that could adversely affect egress or fire department operations.
- A description of identified emergency and security threats addressed by the plan, including specific lockdown procedures to be implemented for each threat condition.
- Means and methods of initiating a lockdown plan for each threat, including:
- 4.1. The means of notifying occupants of a lockdown event, which shall be distinct from the fire alarm signal.
- 4.2. Identification of each door or other access point that will be secured.
- 4.3. A description of the means or methods used to secure doors and other access points.
- 4.4. A description of how locking means and methods are in compliance with the requirements of this code for egress and accessibility.
- Procedures for reporting to the fire department any lockdown condition affecting egress or fire department operations.
- Procedures for determining and reporting the presence or absence of occupants to emergency response agencies during a lockdown.
- Means for providing two-way communication between a central location and each area subject to being secured during a lockdown.
- Identification of the prearranged signal for terminating the lockdown.
- Identification of individuals authorized to issue a lockdown termination order.
- Procedures for unlocking doors and verifying that the means of egress has been returned to normal operations upon termination of the lockdown.
- Training procedures and frequency of lockdown plan drills.
Lockdown plan drills shall be conducted in accordance with the approved plan. Such drills shall not be substituted for fire and evacuation drills required by Section 405.2.
Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be reviewed or updated annually or as necessitated by changes in staff assignments, occupancy or the physical arrangement of the building.
Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be available in the workplace for reference and review by employees, and copies shall be furnished to the fire code official for review on request.
Emergency evacuation drills complying with Sections 405.2 through 405.9 shall be conducted not less than annually where fire safety and evacuation plans are required by Section 403 or where required by the fire code official. Drills shall be designed in cooperation with the local authorities.
Required emergency evacuation drills shall be held at the intervals specified in Table 405.2 or more frequently where necessary to familiarize all occupants with the drill procedure.
FIRE AND EVACUATION DRILL FREQUENCY AND PARTICIPATION
| GROUP OR OCCUPANCY | FREQUENCY | PARTICIPATION |
| Group A | Quarterly | Employees |
| Group Bb | Annually | All occupants |
| (Ambulatory care facilities) | Quarterly on each shifta | Employees |
| Group Bb (Clinic, outpatient) | Annually | Employees |
| Group E | Monthlya | All occupants |
| Group F | Annually | Employees |
| Group I-1 | Semiannually on each shifta | All occupants |
| Group I-2 | Quarterly on each shifta | Employees |
| Group I-3 | Quarterly on each shifta | Employees |
| Group I-4 | Monthly on each shifta | All occupants |
| Group R-1 | Quarterly on each shift | Employees |
| Group R-2d | Four annually | All occupants |
| Group R-4 | Semiannually on each shifta | All occupants |
- In severe climates, the fire code official shall have the authority to modify the emergency evacuation drill frequency.
- Emergency evacuation drills are required in Group B buildings having an occupant load of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
- Emergency evacuation drills are required in ambulatory care facilities in accordance with Section 403.3.
- Emergency evacuation drills in Group R-2 college and university buildings shall be in accordance with Section 403.10.2.1. Other Group R-2 occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 403.10.2.2.
Responsibility for the planning and conduct of drills shall be assigned to competent persons designated to exercise leadership.
Drills shall be held at unexpected times and under varying conditions to simulate the unusual conditions that occur in case of fire.
Records shall be maintained of required emergency evacuation drills and include the following information:
- Identity of the person conducting the drill.
- Date and time of the drill.
- Notification method used.
- Employees on duty and participating.
- Number of occupants evacuated.
- Special conditions simulated.
- Problems encountered.
- Weather conditions when occupants were evacuated.
- Time required to accomplish complete evacuation.
Where required by the fire code official, prior notification of emergency evacuation drills shall be given to the fire code official.
Where a fire alarm system is provided, emergency evacuation drills shall be initiated by activating the fire alarm system.
As building occupants arrive at the assembly point, efforts shall be made to determine if all occupants have been successfully evacuated or have been accounted for.
An electrically or mechanically operated signal used to recall occupants after an evacuation shall be separate and distinct from the signal used to initiate the evacuation. The recall signal initiation means shall be manually operated and under the control of the person in charge of the premises or the official in charge of the incident. Persons shall not reenter the premises until authorized to do so by the official in charge.
Where fire safety and evacuation plans are required by Section 403, employees shall be trained in fire emergency procedures based on plans prepared in accordance with Section 404.
Employees shall receive training in the contents of fire safety and evacuation plans and their duties as part of new employee orientation and not less than annually thereafter. Records of training shall be maintained.
Employees shall be apprised of the fire hazards of the materials and processes to which they are exposed. Each employee shall be instructed in the proper procedures for preventing fires in the conduct of their assigned duties.
Employees shall be familiarized with the fire alarm and evacuation signals, their assigned duties in the event of an alarm or emergency, evacuation routes, areas of refuge, exterior assembly areas and procedures for evacuation.
The provisions of Sections 407.2 through 407.7 shall be applicable where hazardous materials subject to permits under Section 5001.5 are located on the premises or where required by the fire code official.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous materials shall be either readily available on the premises as a paper copy, or where approved, shall be permitted to be readily retrievable by electronic access.
Individual containers of hazardous materials, cartons or packages shall be marked or labeled in accordance with applicable federal regulations. Buildings, rooms and spaces containing hazardous materials shall be identified by hazard warning signs in accordance with Section 5003.5.
Persons responsible for the operation of areas in which hazardous materials are stored, dispensed, handled or used shall be familiar with the chemical nature of the materials and the appropriate mitigating actions necessary in the event of a fire, leak or spill. Responsible persons shall be designated and trained to be liaison personnel for the fire department. These persons shall aid the fire department in preplanning emergency responses and identification of where hazardous materials are located, and shall have access to Safety Data Sheets and be knowledgeable in the site emergency response procedures.
Where required by the fire code official, each application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) in accordance with Section 5001.5.2.
Where required by the fire code official, each application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) in accordance with Section 5001.5.1. The fire code official is authorized to accept a similar plan required by other regulations.
The permit holder or applicant shall submit to the fire code official a facility closure plan in accordance with Section 5001.6.3 to terminate storage, dispensing, handling or use of hazardous materials.