Tempe, Arizona Fire Codes And How They Pertain To Exit Devices
The city of Tempe, Arizona has recently amended some of its fire codes regulations to enable them to be at par with the 2006 international fire code laws. Specifically, when it comes to the new Tempe, Arizona fire codes and how they pertain to exit devices, below are some of the most notable amendments which have been enacted, thanks to tempelocksmithpros.com.
Door, gates and turnstiles
The whole of section 1008 of the new city of Tempe fire codes primarily dwell on the recommended features and functions of exit doors, gate and turnstiles. To begin with, a floor elevation is mandatorily on either side of the exit door, both featuring a similar elevation height. Nonetheless, there are several exceptions to this guideline. For instance, exit doors that serve dwelling units in group R-1 and R-2 buildings (hotels and residential units with 2 sleeping units respectively) are not affected by this law.
In such buildings, an exit door is allowed to open at the topmost step of an interior flight of stairs. That is as long as this exit door can swing easily over the topmost step of such a flight of stairs. Additionally, in such buildings, storm door and screen doors are also permissible if they can swing over the stairs or landing. Houses with external decks, patios or even balconies are also excluded from this given guideline of the Tempe, Arizona fire codes rule. Most especially if they are features of a type B (lowest building fire hazard level). In such units, an impervious surface, which is less than 4” beneath the finished floor level of an adjacent interior area is allowable. That is as long as the exit door (excluding storm or screen doors) doesn’t swing over the landing when opened.
Locks and latches
Section 1008. of the new city of Tempe, Arizona fire codes dwells on the locks and latches that can be equipped to exit devices. According to this regulation, locks and latches are permissible when they can be in a position of preventing the operations of such devices in the following circumstances. First of all, buildings that are used for correction or detention of convicts such as jails or penitentiaries. Buildings which are categorized as occupancy group A (moderate fire hazard level) with occupancy of three hundred or below. Group B, F, M and S (moderate to lowest risk of fire hazards) and also places of worship like churches. In the latter category, these kinds of building are allowed by the new guidelines to be fitted with key lockable exit devices, which are positioned on the egress side.
On the other hand, in the cases where egress doors happen to be utilized in pairs, approved automatic flush bolts are also permissible. That is as long as the given door leaf that bears the automatic flush bolts does not come with a door knob or any surface mounted hardware.
At the same time, group R, division 3 occupancy as well as individual dwelling units and guestrooms are also mentioned by the new Tempe, Arizona fire codes. The exit doors of these given buildings are now required by the law to be fitted with night latches, keyed deadbolts or even security chains. The only stipulation for equipping the exit doors with these devices is that they can be conveniently from the interior part of the building without having to use a tool.
Finally, the section 1008 of the amended Tempe city fire codes has now made it mandatory for an easily readable and durable signage to be posted on the egress side close to the exit doors. Such a sign must clearly state “This door is to remain unlocked whenever this building is occupied.”
Exit discharge
The section 1024 of the amended city of Tempe, Arizona fire codes, for the most part, offers guidelines on the right exit discharges building ought to have. Such exit discharges should offer a direct and unobstructed access to a public way. In the event where this is not possible, a safe dispersal region must be allocated on such properties.
This dispersal region should be able to accommodate not less than five square feet for each individual in the event of a fire outbreak. At the same time, it should also be located within the same property, and not more than fifty feet away from the building, which might need egress. Finally, such a dispersal region should come with a safe and unobstructed path from the building in question.
