The requirements of this chapter shall apply to new buildings or portions thereof used as apartment occupancies. (See 1.3.1.)
The provisions of Chapter 1, Administration, shall apply.
The provisions of Chapter 4, General, shall apply.
The term apartment building, wherever used in this Code, shall include an apartment house, a tenement, a garden apartment, or any other structure meeting the definition of apartment building.
Where construction, alteration, or demolition operations are conducted, the provisions of 4.6.10.2 shall apply.
Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with 6.1.14.
No dwelling unit of an apartment building shall have its sole means of egress pass through any nonresidential occupancy in the same building, unless otherwise permitted by 30.1.3.2.1 or 30.1.3.2.2.
In buildings that are protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7, dwelling units of an apartment building shall be permitted to have their sole means of egress pass through a nonresidential occupancy in the same building, provided that both of the following criteria are met:
- The dwelling unit of the apartment building shall comply with Chapter 30.
- The sole means of egress from the dwelling unit of the apartment building shall not pass through a high hazard contents area, as defined in 6.2.2.4.
In buildings that are not protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7, dwelling units of an apartment building shall be permitted to have their sole means of egress pass through a nonresidential occupancy in the same building, provided that all of the following criteria are met:
- The sole means of egress from the dwelling unit of the apartment building to the exterior shall be separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
- The dwelling unit of the apartment building shall comply with Chapter 30.
- The sole means of egress from the dwelling unit of the apartment building shall not pass through a high hazard contents area, as defined in 6.2.2.4.
Multiple dwelling units shall be permitted to be located above a nonresidential occupancy only where one of the following conditions exists:
- Where the dwelling units of the residential occupancy and exits therefrom are separated from the nonresidential occupancy by construction having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating
- Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7
Atrium walls in accordance with 6.1.14.4.6 shall be permitted to serve as part of the separation required by 6.1.14.4.1 for creating separated occupancies on a story-by-story basis.
For definitions, see Chapter 3, Definitions.
Special terms applicable to this chapter are defined in Chapter 3. Where necessary, other terms are defined in the text.
The contents of residential occupancies shall be classified as ordinary hazard in accordance with 6.2.2.
The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 7.3.1.2 that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined as the maximum probable population of the space under consideration, whichever is greater.
Means of egress from dwelling units to the outside of the building shall be in accordance with Chapter 7 and this chapter.
Means of escape within the dwelling unit shall comply with the provisions of Section 24.2 for one- and two-family dwellings.
Where bathtubs, bathtub-shower combinations, or showers are present, grab bars shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of 24.2.8.
Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types described in 30.2.2.2 through 30.2.2.12.
In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5, exit enclosures shall have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating, and doors shall have a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating.
Door-locking arrangements shall comply with 30.2.2.2.2.1, 30.2.2.2.2.2, 30.2.2.2.2.3, or 30.2.2.2.2.4.
Apartment occupancies shall be exempt from the re-entry provisions of 7.2.1.5.8 where the exit enclosure serves directly only one dwelling unit per floor, and such exit is a smokeproof enclosure in accordance with 7.2.3.
Smokeproof enclosures complying with 7.2.3 shall be permitted.
Horizontal exits complying with 7.2.4 shall be permitted.
Fire escape ladders complying with 7.2.9 shall be permitted.
The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with Section 7.3.
Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps discharging onto the street floor.
Corridors with a required capacity of more than 50 persons, as defined in Section 7.3, shall be of sufficient width to accommodate the required occupant load but have a width of not less than 44 in. (1120 mm).
Corridors with a required capacity of not more than 50 persons, as defined in Section 7.3, shall be not less than 36 in. (915 mm) in width.
The number of means of egress shall comply with Section 7.4.
Every dwelling unit shall have access to at least two separate exits remotely located from each other as required by 7.5.1.
Dwelling units shall be permitted to have access to a single exit, provided that one of the following conditions is met:
- The dwelling unit has an exit door opening directly to the street or yard at the finished ground level.
- The dwelling unit has direct access to an outside stair that complies with 7.2.2 and serves a maximum of two units, both of which are located on the same story.
- The dwelling unit has direct access to an interior stair that serves only that unit and is separated from all other portions of the building by fire barriers having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating, with no opening therein.
A single exit shall be permitted in buildings where the total number of stories does not exceed four, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
- There are four or fewer dwelling units per story.
- The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5.
- The exit stairway does not serve more than one-half story below the level of exit discharge.
- The travel distance from the entrance door of any dwelling unit to an exit does not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m).
- The exit stairway is completely enclosed or separated from the rest of the building by barriers having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
- All openings between the exit stairway enclosure and the building are protected with self-closing door assemblies having a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating.
- All corridors serving as access to exits have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
- Horizontal and vertical separation having a minimum 1/2-hour fire resistance rating is provided between dwelling units.
The distance between exits addressed by 7.5.1.3 shall not apply to nonlooped exit access corridors in buildings that have corridor doors from the dwelling units that are arranged such that the exits are located in opposite directions from such doors.
No common path of travel shall exceed 35 ft (10.7 m) in buildings not protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 30.3.5. Travel within a dwelling unit shall not be included when calculating common path of travel.
No common path of travel shall exceed 50 ft (15 m) in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 30.3.5. Travel within a dwelling unit shall not be included when determining common path of travel.
Dead-end corridors shall be limited in accordance with either 30.2.5.4.1 or 30.2.5.4.2.
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Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section 7.6.
The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) entrance door to the nearest exit shall be limited in accordance with 30.2.6.3.1, 30.2.6.3.2, or 30.2.6.3.3.
The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) entrance door to the nearest exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) entrance door to the nearest exit shall not exceed 200 ft (61 m) for exterior ways of exit access arranged in accordance with 7.5.3.
Exit discharge shall comply with Section 7.7.
Emergency lighting in accordance with Section 7.9 shall be provided in all buildings four or more stories in height, or with more than 12 dwelling units, unless every dwelling unit has a direct exit to the outside of the building at the finished ground level.
Means of egress shall have signs in accordance with Section 7.10 in all buildings requiring more than one exit.
Lockups in apartment buildings shall comply with the requirements of 22.4.5.
The use of Section 7.14 shall be prohibited.
Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 8.6.
Where the provisions of 8.6.6 are used, the requirements of 30.3.5.8 shall be met.
Vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.1 shall be permitted.
In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5, walls enclosing vertical openings shall have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating, and the doors shall have a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating.
No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential occupancy and open to the public shall have unprotected openings to floors used for residential purposes.
Within any individual dwelling unit, unless protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5, vertical openings more than one story above or below the entrance floor level of the dwelling unit shall not be permitted.
Any hazardous area shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.7.
The areas described in Table 30.3.2.1.1 shall be protected as indicated.
Table 30.3.2.1.1 Hazardous Area Protection
| Hazardous Area Description | Separation/Protection†|
|---|---|
| Boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms serving more than a single dwelling unit | 1 hour and sprinklers |
| Employee locker rooms | 1 hour or sprinklers |
| Gift or retail shops | 1 hour or sprinklers |
| Bulk laundries | 1 hour and sprinklers |
| Laundries ≤ 100 ft2 (≤ 9.3 m2) outside of dwelling units | 1 hour or sprinklers‡ |
| Laundries > 100 ft2 (> 9.3 m2) outside of dwelling units | 1 hour and sprinklers |
| Maintenance shops | 1 hour and sprinklers |
| Storage rooms outside of dwelling units | 1 hour or sprinklers |
| Trash collection rooms | 1 hour and sprinklers |
| †Minimum fire resistance rating. ‡Where sprinklers are provided, the separation specified in 8.7.1.2 and 30.3.2.1.2 is not required. | |
Where sprinkler protection without fire-rated separation is used, areas shall be separated from other spaces by smoke partitions complying with Section 8.4.
Hazardous Materials. Where hazardous materials are stored or handled, the provisions of 8.7.3.1 shall apply.
Interior finish shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.
Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with Section 10.2 shall be permitted as follows:
- Exit enclosures — Class A
- Lobbies and corridors — Class A or Class B
- Other spaces — Class A, Class B, or Class C
Interior floor finish shall comply with Section 10.2.
Interior floor finish in exit enclosures and exit access corridors and spaces not separated from them by walls complying with 30.3.6 shall be not less than Class II.
Apartment buildings four or more stories in height or with more than 11 dwelling units, other than those meeting the requirements of 30.3.4.1.2, shall be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 9.6, except as modified by 30.3.4.2 through 30.3.4.5.
A fire alarm system shall not be required in buildings where each dwelling unit is separated from other contiguous dwelling units by fire barriers (see Section 8.3) having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating, and where each dwelling unit has either its own independent exit or its own independent stairway or ramp discharging at the finished ground level.
Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by manual means in accordance with 9.6.2, unless the building complies with 30.3.4.2.2.
Initiation of the required fire alarm system by manual means shall not be required in buildings four or fewer stories in height, containing not more than 16 dwelling units, and protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 30.3.5.1.
Occupant notification shall be provided automatically in accordance with Section 9.6, and both of the following shall also apply:
Annunciation, and annunciation zoning, in accordance with 9.6.7 shall be provided, unless the building complies with either 30.3.4.3.3 or 30.3.4.3.4. Annunciation shall be provided at a location readily accessible from the primary point of entry for emergency response personnel.
Annunciation, and annunciation zoning, shall not be required in buildings two or fewer stories in height and having not more than 50 dwelling units.
Annunciation, and annunciation zoning, shall not be required in buildings four or fewer stories in height containing not more than 16 dwelling units and protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 30.3.5.1.
Emergency forces notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 9.6.4.
(Reserved)
Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 9.6.2.10 in every sleeping area, outside every sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on all levels of the dwelling unit, including basements.
Carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with Section 9.12 and 30.3.4.6 shall be provided in new apartment buildings where either of the following conditions exists:
- Dwelling units with communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by 30.3.4.6.3
- Dwelling units containing a permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace
Where required by 30.3.4.6.1, carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
- Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms
- On every occupiable level of a dwelling unit
Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as specified in 30.3.4.6.1(1) shall not be required in the following locations:
- In garages
- Within dwelling units with communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as defined by the building code
- Within dwelling units with communicating attached garages that are mechanically ventilated in accordance with the mechanical code
Where fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces are installed outside dwelling units, carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions in the locations specified as follows:
- On the ceilings of rooms containing permanently installed fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces
- Centrally located position within occupiable spaces served by the first supply air register from a permanently installed, fuel-burning HVAC system
- Centrally located position within occupiable spaces adjacent to a communicating attached garage
Where carbon monoxide detectors are installed in accordance with 30.3.4.6.4(1), the alarm signal shall be automatically transmitted to an approved on-site location or to an off-premises location in accordance with NFPA 720.
Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance with Section 9.7, as modified by 30.3.5.4. In apartment buildings up to and including four stories in height, that are located in buildings not exceeding 60 ft (18.3 m) in height above grade plane, systems in accordance with NFPA 13R shall be permitted.
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Where located in a building of Type III, Type IV, or Type V construction designed in accordance with 4.6.3(5) and where the roof assembly is located more than 55 ft (17 m) above the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access, attics shall comply with 30.3.5.2.1.1, 30.3.5.2.1.2, and one of the following:
- Attics shall be provided with sprinkler protection.
- Attics shall be constructed with noncombustible materials.
- Attics shall be constructed with fire-retardant-treated wood
- Attics shall be filled with noncombustible insulation
The height of the roof assembly shall be determined by measuring the distance from the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access adjacent to the building to the eave of the highest pitched roof, the intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall, or the top of the highest parapet, whichever yields the greatest distance.
Required fire department vehicle access roads used in 30.3.5.2.1.1 shall include only those roads that are necessary for required fire department vehicle access in compliance with the fire code.
In buildings sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13, closets shall meet the following requirements:
- Closets of less than 12 ft2 (1.1 m2) in individual dwelling units shall not be required to be sprinklered.
- Closets that contain equipment such as washers, dryers, furnaces, or water heaters shall be sprinklered, regardless of size.
In buildings sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13 bathrooms not greater than 55 ft2 (5.1 m2) in individual dwelling units shall not be required to be sprinklered.
The draft stop and closely spaced sprinkler requirements of NFPA 13 shall not be required for convenience openings complying with 8.6.9.1 where the convenience opening is within the dwelling unit.
Listed quick-response or listed residential sprinklers shall be used throughout all dwelling units.
Open parking structures complying with NFPA 88A that are contiguous with apartment buildings shall be exempt from the sprinkler requirements of 30.3.5.1.
Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with Section 9.9 shall be provided in hazardous areas addressed by 30.3.2.1, unless the building is protected throughout with an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5.2.
In buildings not complying with 30.3.6.1.2, exit access corridor walls shall consist of fire barriers in accordance with Section 8.3 that have not less than a 1-hour fire resistance rating.
Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall have not less than a 20-minute fire protection rating in accordance with Section 8.3.
Unprotected openings, other than those from spaces complying with 30.3.6.3.2, shall be prohibited in exit access corridor walls and doors.
Spaces shall be permitted to be unlimited in area and open to the corridor, provided that the following criteria are met:
- The space is not used for guest rooms or guest suites or hazardous areas.
- The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5.
- The space does not obstruct access to required exits.
Transoms, louvers, or transfer grilles shall be prohibited in walls or doors of exit access corridors.
In buildings not meeting the requirement of 30.3.7.2, dwelling units shall be separated from each other by walls and floors constructed as fire barriers having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system, dwelling units shall be separated from each other by walls and floors constructed as fire barriers having a minimum 1/2-hour fire resistance rating.
High-rise buildings shall comply with Section 11.8. The provisions of 30.3.5.3 and 30.3.4.5 shall be permitted.
Emergency action plans in accordance with Section 4.8 shall be provided and shall include all of the following:
- Egress procedures
- Methods
- Preferred evacuation routes for each event, including appropriate use of elevators
Alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers in accordance with 8.7.3.3 shall be permitted.
Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.1.
Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.2.
Unvented fuel-fired heaters, other than gas space heaters in compliance with NFPA 54 shall not be used.
Elevators, escalators, and conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.4.
Waste chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.5.
Emergency instructions shall be provided annually to each dwelling unit to indicate the location of alarms, egress paths, and actions to be taken, both in response to a fire in the dwelling unit and in response to the sounding of the alarm system.
Contents and furnishings shall not be required to comply with Section 10.3.
Furnishings or decorations of an explosive or highly flammable character shall not be used outside of dwelling units.
Fire-retardant coatings shall be maintained to retain the effectiveness of the treatment under service conditions encountered in actual use.