Tag: Fire Escape Regulations

National Code

2012 IFC 1104.16.5.1 Fire escape stairs must be examined every 5 years ,by design professional or others acceptable and inspection report must be submitted to the fire code official.

IBC 1001.3.3 All fire escapes shall be examined and/or tested and certified every five years by a design professional or others acceptable who will then submit an affidavit city official.

NFPA LIFE SAFETY CODE 101  7.2.8.6.2 The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall approve any fire escape by Load Test or other evidence of strength (Certification).

OSHA 1910.37 Exit routes must be maintained during construction, repairs, alterations or provide alternative egress with equivalent level of safety. (permit issued if egress is certified or with egress scaffolding) 

Indiana Code

What building codes are used in the City of Indianapolis/Marion County?

The Consolidated City of Indianapolis/Marion County uses the following building and craft codes and the Indiana Administrative Code amendments:

2003 International Residential Code (675 IAC 14 Rule 4.3 – 2005 Indiana Residential Code)

2000 International Building Code – 2014 IBC (675 IAC 13 Rule 2.4 – 2003 Indiana Building Code)

2000 International Fire Code – 2014 IFC (675 IAC 22 Rule 2.3 – 2003 Indiana Fire Code)

Indianapolis Fire Code:

Indianapolis has adopted the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code with Indiana amendments to create the 2014 Indiana Fire Code to be effective December 1, 2014.

https://library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIPUHEWE_CH591FIPRPR_ARTIVGEREFISABU_DIV3MEEG_S591-433OBMEEG

Sec. 591-434. – Inspection of fire escapes.
Exterior fire escapes shall comply with the requirements as set forth in 675 IAC 22. Certification by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Indiana to show compliance with this section shall be filed with the fire prevention bureau upon order of the fire prevention chief having jurisdiction over the premises.

(c) Any member of a police or fire department who shall discover any fire escape or means of egress encumbered or obstructed in any manner shall report such condition to the appropriate fire prevention bureau and the bureau shall immediately notify the owner or occupant to remove such encumbrance or obstacle.

675 IAC 22-2-62 Section 12.115; fire escapes (repealed)?

Sec. 744-204. – Height exceptions and yard encroachments.
The following exceptions to height limits and encroachments into required setbacks and yard areas are allowed as indicated in Table 744-204-1: Encroachments and Exceptions.

Secondary means of escape, unenclosed or lattice-enclosed stairs, fire escapes, and balconies opening upon fire towers = May not encroach more than 5 ft. into any side or rear yard setback, except as required to comply with fire code or Americans with Disabilities Act.

1. Current State Codes: These rules went into effect December 1, 2014.

2014 Indiana Building Code 675 IAC 13-2.6 Indiana Building Code, 2014 Edition (IBC, 2012 Edition, 1st printing) ANSI A117.1-2009
http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20140827-IR-675130339FRA.xml.pdf

2014 Indiana Fire Code 675 IAC 22-2.5 Indiana Fire Code, 2014 Edition (IFC 2012 Edition, 1st printing)Effective 12/1/14
http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20140827-IR-675130341FRA.xml.pdf

All fire escapes shall be examined and/or tested and certified every five years by a design professional or others acceptable who will then submit an affidavit city official.
INTL BUILDING CODE IBC 1001.3.3

Page 32 of 66 – * See attached 2014 IN Fire Code…

(r) Add Section 1009.18 to read as follows: 1009.18 Fire escapes. A fire escape that is used as an exit shall comply with the provisions of this section as follows:
(1) The fire escape shall not be the primary or the only exit.

(2) The fire escape shall not take the place of stairways required by the applicable rules of the commission or its predecessors in effect at the time the building was built.

(3) Access to a fire escape from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room.
Exception: Access through an intervening room may be permitted if the intervening door is not lockable and an exit sign is installed above the door directing occupants to the fire escape.

(4) No encumbrances or obstacles of any kind shall be placed on or in front of any fire escape.

(5) Fire escapes shall be kept clear and unobstructed and shall be maintained in a fully operational working condition at all times.

(6) Exit signs shall be maintained in accordance with the Indiana Fire Code (675 IAC 22) or the code in effect at the time of construction. All doors and windows providing access to a fire escape shall be provided with signs stating “FIRE ESCAPE” in letters at least as large as those required for exit signs under the current rules of the Commission.

(7) Fire escape stairways and their balconies shall support their dead load plus a live load of not less than one hundred (100) pounds per square foot (four hundred thirty-six (136 kilograms) placed anywhere on the balcony or stairway so as to produce the maximum stress condition.

(8) Fire escape stairways and balconies shall support a horizontal force of not less than fifty (50) pounds per linear foot (seventy-four and four-tenths (74.4) kilograms per meter) applied to the top handrail.

(9) Documentation evidencing compliance with subsections (7) through (9) shall be maintained on site for review by the code official.

(10) Tubular fire escapes shall comply with subsections (1) through (9) and shall be kept rust free.

INDIANA Building Code 2014:

(aa) Add a new Section 1029.6, after Section 1029.5.2 to read as follows: Section 1029.6 Exterior rescue access. Exterior access for fire department use in performing rescue operations when emergency escape and rescue openings are required shall comply with Sections 1029.6.1 and 1029.6.2.
(bb) Add a new Section 1029.6.1, after 1029.6 to read as follows: Section 1029.6.1 Exterior grade slope. The exterior grade adjacent to emergency escape and rescue openings shall not have a slope of more than two (2) inches in twelve (12) inches. The grade requirement shall extend from the structure to a point that will allow the placement of a fire department ground ladder to the sill of the emergency escape and rescue opening when such ladder is placed at a seventy-five (75) degree angle maximum from the horizontal plane. In no circumstances shall the required grade extend less than forty-four (44) inches from the structure.
(cc) Add a new Section 1029.6.2, after 1029.6.1 to read as follows: Section 1029.6.2 Exterior grade obstructions. No obstruction such as wire, trees, shrubs, signs, cornices, overhangs, awnings, canopies, parking, or other features shall be permitted.
Exception: Canopies and similar types of building features may be used as a portion of the rescue access system if the slope of the canopy or similar types of building features does not exceed two (2) inches in twelve (12) inches and access as required in Section 1029.1 is provided from the ground to the top edge of the canopy.

1. Network Associations:

Indiana Association of Building Officials http://www.iabo.com/
Indiana Builders Association https://buildindiana.org/

1. IN FIRE & BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT:
   https://www.in.gov/dhs/2376.htm

IDHS Code Enforcement
codequestions@dhs.in.gov
(317) 232 – 2393

Kristin Settle, Code Enforcement Section Chief – (317) 232 – 2222

The Fire and Building Code Enforcement Branch encourages the development of building code law enforcement programs within state agencies and political subdivisions and exercises any program of supervision that is approved by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. The branch enforces building laws and related variances as well as other orders that apply to Class I structures, industrialized buildings.

To carry out these objectives, the branch encourages and assists local elected officials to adopt proper ordinances and set in motion code enforcement programs within approved building departments. The branch also provides local building officials with continuing education regarding the application of code and building laws.

In jurisdictions without approved building departments, the branch periodically inspects Class I buildings. Agricultural buildings and one- and two-family dwellings fall under the jurisdiction of local government. The branch also regularly inspects industrialized buildings and audits approved third-party inspection agencies.

The branch encourages the professional development of the building commissioner’s staff, local building officials and related professional organizations such as the Indiana Association of Building Officials and the Indiana Association of Electrical Inspectors.

The branch responds to building code complaints from the public, contractors, local building officials and other state agencies, and provides assistance during times of public disasters.

1. Indiana State Fire Marshal
   DIVISION OF FIRE & BUILDING SAFETY
   James L. Greeson
   jgreeson@dhs.in.gov
   317.232.2222

*see attached IN fire marshal profile

1. Indiana State Fire Departments
   https://www.in.gov/dhs/files/firedepts.pdf complete list with addresses/phone numbers/etc.
   *see attached Excel list
2. Indianapolis Fire Department
   http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/dps/ifd/Pages/home.aspx

Administration Headquarters:
955 Ft. Wayne Ave Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Headquarters: (317) 327-6041

Text Tips To: 274627 INDYCS

Fire And Life Safety Division:

Battalion Chief Courtney Gordon Fire Marshal
Captain Aleatha Henderson Director Survive Alive/Public Education
For Information about Fire Inspections or to obtain Fire Reports
Call (317) 327-6006. Office Hours 8:00 – 4:30
Indianapolis Fire Prevention Bureau
300 E Fall Creek Parkway N Dr. # 500
Indianapolis, IN 46205
The Fire and Life Safety Division is headed by the Fire Marshal and is responsible for enforcement of fire codes, building inspections and public education.
The Code Enforcement arm of the Fire and Life Safety Division is responsible for inspecting the hundreds of buildings in Indianapolis to ensure that each structure complies with the fire codes that have been established on the federal, state, and local level. The City of Indianapolis is divided into seven battalions (quadrants) and there are two inspectors from the Fire and Life Safety Division assigned to each of the battalions. Those inspectors systematically inspect – and if necessary, re-inspect – each of the buildings in Indianapolis to ensure that the buildings meet fire codes and that the public is safe when visiting the building. The inspectors are routinely called to fire scenes to issue citations for violations of fire code that on-scene firefighters might discover after responding to a fire.
Indianapolis is divided into 7 Battalions (quadrants) and there are two inspectors from the Fire and Life Safety Division assigned to each of the battalions. Those inspectors systematically inspect – and if necessary – re-inspect each of the buildings in Indianapolis to ensure that the buildings meet fire codes and that the public is safe when visiting the building. The inspectors are routinely called to fire scenes to issue citations of violations of fire code that on scene firefighters might discover after responding to a fire.

Social Media Accounts:

1. Indianapolis Fire Department Verified account @IFD_NEWS