2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 425 - FIRE SAFETY › 425 ILCS 15/ - Fire Escape Act.

(425 ILCS 15/0.01) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 0.01)
Sec. 0.01. 
		Short title. 
		This Act may be cited as the
Fire Escape Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)
(425 ILCS 15/1) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 1)
Sec. 1. 
		
		That within six (6) months after the passage of
this Act, all buildings in this State which are four or more stories in
height, excepting such as are used for private residences exclusively, but
including flats and apartment buildings, shall be provided with one or more
metallic ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes attached to the
outer walls thereof and extending from, or suitably near the ground, to the
uppermost story thereof, and provided with platforms of such forms and
dimensions, and in such proximity to one or more hinged windows or doors of
each story above the first, as to render access to such ladder or stairs
from each such story easy and safe: Provided, however, that all buildings
more than two stories in height, used for manufacturing purposes or for
hotels, dormitories, schools, seminaries, hospitals or asylums, shall have
at least one such fire escape for every fifty (50) persons for which
working, sleeping or living accommodations are provided above the second
stories of said buildings; and that all public halls, which provide seating
room above the first or ground story, shall be provided with such numbers
of said ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes as the officers
herein named may direct.
(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)
(425 ILCS 15/2) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 2)
Sec. 2. 
		
		All buildings of the number of stories and used for the purposes
set forth in section one (1) of this Act, which shall be hereafter erected
within this State, shall upon or before their completion each be provided
with fire escapes of the kind and number, and in the manner set forth in
said section one (1) of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)
(425 ILCS 15/3) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 3)
Sec. 3. 
		
		The notice to provide fire escapes shall be in writing and shall be
served on the owner, trustees, lessee or occupant of any building not
provided with fire escapes in accordance with the provisions of this Act,
commanding such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant, or either of
them, to place or cause to be placed upon such building or buildings, such
fire escape or escapes, within thirty (30) days after the service of such
notice.
(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)
(425 ILCS 15/4) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 4)
Sec. 4. 
		
		Any such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant, or either
of them, so served with notice as aforesaid, who shall not within thirty
(30) days after the service of such notice, upon him or them, place or
cause to be placed such fire escape or escapes upon such buildings as
required by this Act and the terms of such notice, shall be guilty of a
petty offense, and shall be guilty of an additional petty offense for each
additional week of neglect to comply with such notice.
(Source: P.A. 77-2444.)
(425 ILCS 15/5) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 5)
Sec. 5. 
		
		All the money or moneys collected as fines under and by virtue of
this Act, shall be paid into or placed to the credit of the common school
fund of the counties in which they are collected.
(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)
(425 ILCS 15/6) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 6)
Sec. 6. 
		
		Any person may at any time make complaint in writing to the
authorities whose duty it is hereunder to enforce this law, that such
escape or escapes are needed or are unsafe or insufficient, and it shall be
the duty of such authorities to inspect such building or buildings, and
escape or escapes, and cause notice to be served on the owner or owners,
trustees, lessee or occupant, as provided in section three (3) of this Act,
and such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant shall immediately
take steps to overcome the cause of complaint.
(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)
(425 ILCS 15/7) (from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 7)
Sec. 7. 
		
		The State Fire Marshal shall have power
to enforce this Act
and to require by written notice, either upon complaint by any person or
without complaint, any owner or owners, trustees, lessees or occupant of
buildings to place fire escapes upon same within 30 days, in accordance
with this Act. This Act shall not apply to cities, villages and towns
within the State of Illinois that have passed and adopted or may by their
proper legislative authority pass or adopt ordinances, by-laws or
resolutions governing the kind, number, location, material and construction
of fire escapes to be required on buildings within the corporate limits of
such cities, villages and towns.
(Source: P.A. 84-25.)