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2014 District of Columbia Code
Division I. Government of District
Title 6. Housing and Building Restrictions and Regulations
Chapter 7. Fire Safety
Subchapter I. General
Part A. Fire Escapes, Elevators, Stairways, Etc
§ 6–701.03. Duty of owner to provide fire safety measures.

Universal Citation: DC Code § 6–701.03. (2014) 

It shall be the duty of the owner entitled to the beneficial use, rental, or control of any building used or intended to be used as set forth in § 6‑701.01 where fire escapes are required, or any building in which 10 or more persons are employed, as set forth in § 6‑701.02, where fire escapes are required, also to provide, install, and maintain therein proper and sufficient guide signs, guide lights, exit lights, hall and stairway lights, standpipes, fire extinguishers, and alarm gongs and striking stations in such locations and numbers and of such type and character as the Mayor of the District of Columbia may determine; except that in buildings less than 6 stories in height, standpipes will not be required when fire extinguishers are installed in such numbers and of such type and character as the Mayor of the District of Columbia may determine.

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The 2013 District of Columbia Construction Codes (the “2013 Codes”) apply to permit applications filed after March 28, 2014, except to the extent that certain projects are entitled to use prior editions of the Construction Codes (pursuant to Section 123, 12-A DCMR).  

Complimentary access to electronic copies of 7 of the 2013 District of Columbia Construction Codes, which integrate the 2012 ICC Codes and the corresponding subtitle of the 2013 DC Construction Codes Supplement, is provided below. PLEASE NOTE: The integrated codes are provided as a public reference tool, but they do not show amendments to the 2013 Construction Codes Supplement or revisions to the 2012 ICC Codes that were adopted after March 28, 2014. Title 12 DCMR and the ICC website should be used to confirm the official text of the 2013 District of Columbia Construction Codes.  

2013 District of Columbia Building Code 

2013 District of Columbia Property Maintenance Code 

2013 District of Columbia Green Construction Code 

2013 District of Columbia Energy Conservation Code 

2013 District of Columbia Fire Code 

2013 District of Columbia Mechanical Code 

2013 District of Columbia Plumbing  

Section 104 – General Authority and Responsibilities 

104.6.2 Inspections. The code official shall keep a record of each inspection made, including notices and orders issued, showing the findings and disposition of each. 

104.8.1 Material and Equipment Reuse. Materials,equipment and devices shall not be reused or reinstalled unless such elements have been reconditioned, tested and placed in good and proper working condition and approved. 

104.8.2 Technical Assistance. To determine the acceptability of technologies, processes, products, facilities,materials and uses attending the design, operation or use of a building or premises subject to inspection by the code official, the code official is authorized to require the owner or agent to provide, without charge to the District ofColumbia government, a technical opinion and report.The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified engineer, specialist, laboratory, or fire safety specialty organization acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the fire safety properties of the design, operation or use of the building or premises and the facilities and appurtenances situated thereon, to recommend necessary changes. The code official is authorized to require design submittals to be prepared by, and bear the stamp of a, registered design professional. 

104.10.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of the Fire Code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of the Fire Code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the code official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the District ofColumbia government. Test methods shall be as specified in the Fire Code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the code official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an agency approved by the code official. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the code official for the period required for retention of public records. 

Section 106 – Inspections 

106.1 Inspection authority. The fire code official is authorized to enter and examine any building, structure, marine vessel, vehicle or premises in accordance with Section 104.3 for the purpose of enforcing the  Fire code.  

106.2 Inspections. The code official is authorized to conduct such inspections as are deemed necessary to determine the extent of compliance with the provisions of the Fire Code and to approve reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of such inspections shall be prepared and submitted in writing for review and approval. Inspection reports shall be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The code official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual, detailed or complex technical issues. 

106.3 Approvals. Approval as the result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of the Fire Code or of other laws or regulations of the District of Columbia. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel provisions of the Fire Code or of other laws or regulations of the 

Section 107 – Maintenance 

107.1 Maintenance of safeguards. Where any device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or any other feature is required for compliance with the provisions of this code, or otherwise installed, such device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or other feature shall thereafter be continuously maintained in accordance with the Fire code and applicable referenced standards. 

107.2 Testing and operation. Equipment requiring periodic testing or operation to ensure maintenance shall be tested or operated as specified in this code. 

107.2.1 Re-inspection and testing. Where any work or installation does not pass an initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with this fire code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the code official for inspection and testing.[Text Wrapping Break] 

107.3 Supervision. Maintenance and testing shall be under the supervision of a responsible person who shall ensure that such maintenance and testing is conducted at specified intervals in accordance with the fire code. 

107.4 Rendering Equipment Inoperable. Portable or fixed fire-extinguishing systems or devices and fire-warning systems shall not be rendered inoperative or inaccessible except as necessary during emergencies, maintenance, repairs, alterations, drills or prescribed testing. 

Section 108 – Appeals 

108.3 Unsafe Conditions; Emergency Measures. Any person ordered to take emergency measures or to correct unsafe conditions shall comply with such order forthwith. Any affected person may thereafter pursue his, her or its right of appeal pursuant to to Section 108.1. 

Section 109 – Violations 

109.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for a person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, repair, remove, demolish or utilize a building, occupancy, premises or system regulated by this code, or cause same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of the fire code. 

109.2 Notice of Violation or Order. When the code official finds a building, premises, vehicle, storage facility or outdoor area that is in violation of the Fire Code, the code official is authorized to prepare a written notice of violation or order describing the conditions deemed unsafe and, when compliance is not immediate, specifying a time for re-inspection.  

109.6 Stop Work Order. Whenever the code official finds any work regulated by the Fire Code being performed in a manner contrary to the provisions of the Fire Code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, the code official is authorized to issue a stop work order. 

109.6.2 Emergencies. Where an emergency or imminently dangerous condition exists, the code official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work. 

Section 110 – Unsafe  Structures & Equipment 

110.1 General. If during the inspection of a premises, a building or structure, or any building system, in whole or in part, constitutes a clear and inimical threat to human life, safety or health, the code official shall issue such notice or orders to remove or remedy the conditions as shall be deemed necessary in accordance with this section, and shall refer the building to the building department for any repairs, alterations, remodeling, removing or demolition required. 

110.1.1 Unsafe conditions. Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe or deficient because of inadequate means of egress or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or which involve illegal or improper occupancy or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed an unsafe condition. A vacant structure that is not secured against unauthorized entry as required by Section 311 shall be deemed unsafe. 

110.1.2 Structural hazards. Where an apparent structural hazard is caused by the faulty installation, operation or malfunction of any of the items or devices governed by the fire code, the code official shall immediately notify the building code official in accordance with Section 110.1. 

110.3 Summary Abatement. Where conditions exist that violate the Fire Code and are deemed hazardous to life and property, the code official or fire department official in charge of the incident is authorized to abate summarily such hazardous conditions. 

10.4 Abatement. The owner, operator or occupant of a premises, including any buildings or structures thereon,deemed unsafe by the code official shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions either by repair,rehabilitation, demolition or other approved corrective action. 

110.5 Owner/Tenant Responsibility. The owner of a premises, including any structures and buildings thereon, shall be responsible for the safe and proper maintenance of the premises at all times in compliance with Fire Code requirements,except as otherwise provided in this code. Occupants are responsible for keeping that part of the premises which they occupy and control in a safe condition. In existing buildings,the fire protection equipment systems or devices, means of egress and safeguards required by the Fire Code or a previous statute, code or other District of Columbia municipal regulation, shall be maintained in good working order. If an owner, tenant or other legitimate occupant of a premises,including any building or structure thereon, creates conditions in violation of the Fire Code by virtue of storage, handling and use of substances, materials, devices and appliances, the owner, tenant or occupant shall be held responsible for the abatement of said hazardous conditions. 

SOURCE: 

District of Columbia Construction Codes – Fire Code 2013 – Bldg Code 2013 

https://dcra.dc.gov/page/district-columbia-construction-codes  

 

IFC 2015 1104.16 Fire Escape PDF actual code

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