Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Bureau of Fire Services › Adult Foster Care Facilities › Part 6 - EXISTING ADULT FOSTER CARE CONGREGATE FACILITIES › Section R. 400.18647 - New fire escapes

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 647. New fire escapes shall be constructed as
					 follows:
(a) Material may be steel or
				  nominal 2-inch lumber.
(b) Tubular
				  and spiral slide-type escapes are not permitted.
(c) An outside stairway that constitutes an
				  approved means of egress shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to
				  support a live load of 100 pounds per square foot on platforms and landings and
				  a concentrated load of 400 pounds on stair treads.
(d) Supporting members of platforms,
				  landings, and stairs, which are in tension and are fastened directly to the
				  building, shall pass through the wall and be fastened securely to the framework
				  of the building. Where practicable, an outside stairway shall be
				  self-supporting. A counter-balanced stairway is not permitted.
(e) On an outside stairway, each landing or
				  platform adjacent to an exit doorway of the building shall be not less than 3
				  inches, nor more than 8 inches, below the sill level of the doorway. Each
				  landing or platform shall be at least the full width of the doorway it serves
				  and its depth shall be not less than the width of the widest outside stairway
				  that leads directly to or from it. The landings or platforms shall be designed
				  and constructed so that exit doors, when open, will not decrease the required
				  unobstructed width of the platform or stairs.
(f) An outside stairway that is considered an
				  approved means of egress shall lead to ground level and the last step in
				  descent to the ground shall not exceed the height of the riser immediately
				  above.
(g) A ladder shall not be
				  used as any portion of an approved means of egress.
(h) An outside stairway shall be provided
				  with handrails on both sides 36 inches above the forward edge of the tread. Not
				  less than 2 rails shall be provided equidistant between the handrail and the
				  forward edge of the tread.
(i)
				  Treads shall be not less than 9 1/2 inches wide, exclusive of nosing.
(j) The tread or platform shall be covered
				  with a suitable nonslip surface.
(k) Treads shall include an additional width
				  of 1 inch as nosing when stairs are constructed with risers.
(l) The riser of a stairway shall be not more
				  than 7 3/4 inches.
(m) The maximum
				  vertical distance between platforms or landings in any flight of stairs shall
				  not be more than 12 feet.
(n) The
				  required width of a new outside stairway shall be not less than 44
				  inches.
(o) An outside stairway
				  that is part of an approved means of egress shall be protected against fire in
				  the building by blank or closed walls which are directly under such stairways
				  and which run for a distance of 6 feet in all other directions. Windows may be
				  allowed within an outside stairway if each window is stationary, made of steel
				  sash, and glazed with wired glass that is not less than 1/4 of an inch in
				  thickness.
(p) An outside stairway
				  that is considered an approved egress passage and access therefrom to a public
				  street or alley shall be maintained in a safe condition for its intended use at
				  all times. A stairway that forms a part of an approved means of egress shall be
				  maintained free from ice and snow at all times. There shall be no obstruction
				  placed upon or within a stairway or an entrance thereto and there shall be no
				  other waste material under or adjacent to the stairway.
(q) When deemed necessary by the inspection
				  authorities, a stairway shall be provided with an approved shelter against ice
				  and snow.
(r) When iron and steel
				  fire escapes are constructed as part of an approved means of egress from a
				  congregate facility, the balconies and stair treads shall be in compliance with
				  this rule and shall be made up of 3/16-inch by 1-inch straight bars set on
				  edge, spaced 1 inch apart from center to center.