mutli-family occupancy inspections. fire department access minimum 20 foot width vertical clearance...

MUTLI-FAMILY MUTLI-FAMILY OCCUPANCY INSPECTIONSOCCUPANCY INSPECTIONS

Building Exterior - General

Address

The address must be posted so that it is plainly visible and legible from the street.

Not less than 5 inches high in unincorporated King County

Contrasting with background of structure

Illuminated or reflective

Year J F M A M J J A S O N D

Fire Department Access

Minimum 20 foot widthVertical clearance 13’ 6”Curbs painted bright red or 4” wide line @

EdgesTowing signsTurnarounds?

Proper fire lane marking LETTERING• 18” high• 3” brush stroke• 12” from curb•Readable @ 50’•Lettering on curb is not allowed

Fire Prevention Inspection Quick Tip

Fire Service FeaturesFire Protection Water Supplies

Obstructions

Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other objects (such as landscaping) shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent emergency responders from immediately recognizing or immediately gaining access to the fire protection equipment or hydrant.

UFC 97: 1001.7.2


Fire Protection Systems & Equipment

Clear Space around Hydrants:

A 3-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved.

3 feet 3 feet

FDC caps missing

Standpipe certification

• Missing caps• Access obstructed• Tested every 5-years• Properly labeled


General Safety PrecautionsCombustible Waste Materials

Dumpsters and Containers

Dumpsters and containers with an individual capacity of 1.5 cubic yards (40.5 cubic feet) or more shall not be stored in buildings or placed within 5 feet of combustible walls, openings, or combustible roof eave lines.

Exception: Areas protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Sprinkler System ServiceSystem properly taggedType and number of heads Proper WrenchesCopy of latest “confidence test” reportProper follow-up of noted repairs completedBack flush required every 5-years (part of

annual confidence test report)Key box present & operableAppropriate keys on site

Fire Alarm system

Copy of latest annual confidence test report Are zones properly indicated Service Co. phone numbers current and

postedAlarm Co. phone numbers current and postedAppropriate keys on site & accessible

Special IssuesExisting apartment buildings that require

alarm system: More than 16 dwelling units, or More than 3 stories.

Notify CRR if you find any buildings that meet this requirement.

Fire extinguisher in service •Maximum travel 75’• One 2a 10bc Extinguisher every 3000 sq. ft.• Max. height 5 feet • Min. height 4 inches


Means of EgressPanic and Fire Exit Hardware

Exit Doors Must Open Freely

Check all exit doors to ensure that they open freely with an unlatching force not to exceed 15 pounds.

When panic hardware is installed the activating bar shall be no higher than 48 inches above the floor and no closer than 34 inches to the floor.

Exit ways MaintainedIf panic hardware installed-no other locking

device can be usedMust use panic hardware or lever type

hardwareCannot require special knowledge to operate

from inside( no dead bolts, slide bolts or any type of single latch lock) includes keyed latch

If using panic bar it must be exclusive

Exit HardwareFire Prevention Inspection Quick Tip

Means of EgressDoors, Gates and Turnstiles

Door Operations

Egress Doors shall be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. (A thumb-turn lock requires special knowledge)

Not Allowed

Allowed

Single Motion Hardware

Panic Hardware


Means of EgressExit Signs

Visibility

Exits and exit access doors shall be marked by an approved exit sign readily visible from any direction of egress travel.

Exception: When approved, the main exterior exit doors or gates which are clearly identifiable as exits do not need to have a sign.

Exit signs maintained

No more than 100’ from nearest visible signShall be internally or externally illuminatedInternally lit signs shall have back-up with

test capability

Fire Prevention InspectionQuick Tip

General Safety Precautions

Equipment Rooms:

Combustiblematerial shall not be stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms or electrical equipment rooms.

Electrical

Room

•Electrical room clearly marked•Baseboard heaters kept clear of combustibles (6” to front & top, airspace below) •Extension cords-bad•Power taps-good•Exposed wiring-bad

Openings covered breakers identifiedMinimum 30”Wide unobstructed accessTo front of panel

General HousekeepingCheck balconiesBBQ’sFoliageAll common areasHoles in walls

Pool Chemicals

Don’t store liquids above solidsDon’t allow pool chemicals to come into contact

with oil, grease, or other organic materialDon’t mix chlorine productsDon’t store acids or alkaline with oxidizersDon’t store gas-fueled equipment in the same

room.Don’t allow smoking in a chemical storage roomDon’t store dry packaged material on floor Acid should not be stored higher than eye level

Accessory BuildingsInspect all out buildings on premisePermits required ?


General Safety PrecautionsMiscellaneous Combustible Materials Storage

Attic, Under-floor & Concealed SpacesAttic, under-floor and concealed spaces shall not be used for storage of combustible materials unless they are protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system, or are protected on the storage side as required for 1-hr fire-resistance-rated construction and the opening is protected by assemblies that are self-closing and of noncombustible construction or solid wood core not less than 1.75 inches in thickness. Storage shall not be placed on exposed joists.

No Storage Allowed


Means of EgressEnclosures Under Exterior Stairways

Storage

Storage is not allowed under exterior exit stairways. The open space under exterior stairways shall not be used for any purpose.

Exception: There shall be no enclosed usable space under exterior exit stairways unless the space is completely enclosed in 1-hour fire-resistive-rated construction.

Exception:Allowed when protected on the enclosed side by one hour –fire resistive construction


Maintenance of Means of Egress

Storage under Stairways

Storage is prohibited under exit stairways.

Of course to every rule there is an exception!

Natural Gas Appliances

Must maintain a minimum of 30 inches clearance

18” above floor levelMust be properly vented

Operational Permits

When inspecting Group R1 or R2 you may find changes in the occupancy that will require the issuance of an operational permit.

Operational Permits - continued

Storage, use or handling of Class I or II or IIIA liquids. Class I Liquids in excess of 5 gallons located inside of

a building or 10 gallons located outside of a building. Examples of Class I Liquids: Benzene, Ethyl Ether,

Naphtha, Gasoline, Shellac, Turpentine, Rubber Cement.


Class II or IIIA Liquids in excess of 25 gallons located inside of a building or 60 gallons located outside of a building. Examples of Class II or IIIA Liquids: Diesel Fuel Oil,

Kerosene, Mineral Spirits, Paint Remover, Paint Thinner, Pine Oil.


Storage, use or handling of hazardous materials. Pool chemicals, such as Dichloro-s-triazinetrione

(chlorine) in quantities of 10 pounds or more and Trichloro-a-triazinetrione, Trichlor, calcium Hypochlorite, Sodium Hypochlorite, Lithium Hyochlorite (chlorine in lower concentration) in quantities of 100 pounds or more.


Hot works - cutting and welding and hot works - miscellaneous. Any type of hot works equipment or process (such

as the use of a welder or torch or the process of brazing, soldering) requires a permit.


Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane).Any quantity requires a permit. Many R1, and R2 occupancies will have a propane barbecue in their common areas.

Note: Washington State Amendments do not regulate barbecues for individual dwelling units or single family residences. Adult Family Homes are considered to be the same as a single family residence and would not require a permit.

mutli-family occupancy inspections. fire department access minimum 20 foot width vertical clearance...

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