§ 78-64. Supplemental fire and life safety provisions for new and existing hotels.

(a)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Corridor smoke detection and compartmentation system means an approved smoke detection system installed in public (exit access) corridors on typical floors. Such system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72E, but in no case shall smoke detectors be installed more than 30 feet on centers or more than 15 feet from any wall. The system shall be electrically interconnected to the building manual alarm system and in buildings seven stories or more in height shall have an annunciator panel located in an approved location to visually indicate the floor of actuation. Corridor compartmentation shall mean approved smoke partitions or doors in exit access corridors which divide such exit access corridors into at least two compartments. Doors used for compartmentation shall be of the swinging type having a fire protection rating of at least 20 minutes.

Existing hotel means a hotel which is already in existence at the effective date of the ordinance from which this section derives.

Hotel means a dwelling or group of buildings under the same management in which there are more than 15 sleeping accommodations for hire, primarily used by transients who are lodged with or without meals, whether designated as a hotel, inn, club, motel or by any other name, including apartment hotels.

Limited automatic sprinkler system means an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in corridors along the corridor ceiling with one head installed opposite the center of and inside the room/corridor door opening onto exit access corridors. The sprinkler system shall be electrically interconnected to the building alarm system. The sprinkler system main valve shall be provided with a tamper switch which shall be electrically interconnected to a separate alarm system with a distinctive sound.

Self-closing device means, as applied to an interior room/corridor door, a device that will ensure door closing after having been opened for use.

Single-station smoke detector means an approved single-station smoke detector installed within each guestroom suite, continuously powered by the house electrical service and installed in an approved manner in accordance with room layout. When actuated, the detector shall initiate an audible alarm (rated at 85 decibels at ten feet) within the room.

Smokeproof tower means an approved stairway enclosure so designed that the movement into the smokeproof tower of products of combustion, produced by a fire occurring in any part of the building, shall be limited. Open air balconies which provide direct access from rooms to at least two remote exits may be considered as equivalent to smokeproof towers.

Sprinklered means an approved complete automatic sprinkler system installed throughout the entire building. The system shall be installed in accordance with the 1989 edition of NFPA pamphlet no. 13 pertaining to installation of sprinkler systems, except that sprinkler installation may be omitted in small compartmented areas such as closets not over 24 square feet and bathrooms not over 55 square feet. The sprinkler system shall be electrically interconnected to the building alarm system. The sprinkler system main valve shall be provided with a tamper switch which shall be electrically interconnected to a separate alarm system with a distinctive sound.

(b)

New hotels.

(1)

New hotels six stories or less in height shall be equipped with single-station smoke detectors and self-closing devices on room/corridor doors.

(2)

New hotels seven stories or more in height shall be equipped with single-station smoke detectors, complete automatic sprinkler systems, self-closing devices on room/corridor doors.

(3)

Such protection shall be in addition to all other requirements of the city's building code.

(c)

Existing hotels.

(1)

Existing hotels six stories or less in height which are not provided with a complete automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with self-closing devices on all room corridor doors and with at least one of the following:

a.

A limited automatic sprinkler system.

b.

A corridor smoke detection and compartmentation system.

c.

Single-station smoke detectors.

d.

Smokeproof towers.

(2)

Existing hotels seven stories or more in height which are not provided with a complete automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with self-closing devices on all room corridor doors and at least two of the following:

a.

A limited automatic sprinkler system.

b.

A corridor smoke detection and compartmentation system.

c.

Single-station smoke detectors.

d.

Smokeproof towers.

(3)

Existing hotels seven stories or more in height that are provided with a complete automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with one of the following:

a.

A corridor smoke detection and compartmentation system.

b.

Self-closing devices on all room corridor doors.

c.

Single-station smoke detectors.

d.

Smokeproof towers.

(4)

Such protection shall be in addition to all other requirements of the city's building code.

(d)

Equivalent methods. The specific requirements of this section may be altered or modified to allow alternative design systems that will provide equivalent safety to life.

(e)

Hotel emergency organization.

(1)

Designated employees of hotels shall be instructed and drilled in the duties they are to perform during fire, panic or other emergency. Approved evacuation procedures shall be prepared by the hotel management.

(2)

Drills shall be conducted on quarterly intervals by the entire complement.

(Code 1977, § 11-3033(1)—(5))