Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 837 - DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL › Division 41 - FIRE PROTECTION REGULATIONS RELATING TO EXISTING NON-CONFORMING, HIGH LIFE HAZARD FACILITIES › Section 837-041-0050 - Protection of the Means of Egress - General Provisions

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) "High Life Hazard" definition: For the
			 purpose of this rule, a "high life hazard" is any condition, or combination of
			 conditions, where a reasonable adequate level of exiting safety has not been
			 provided for the building occupants in the event of a fire or fire-related
			 emergency.
(2) All existing
			 buildings and structures, that constitute a high hazard to the occupants in the
			 event of a fire or fire-related emergency, other than institutional, group care
			 and single family dwelling occupancies, must provide a reasonable adequate
			 level of exiting safety through substantial compliance with the requirements
			 for new construction under the 2010 Edition of Oregon Structural Specialty
			 Code, or any of the following methods or combinations thereof which the State
			 Fire Marshal or deputy approved for the building or structure:
(a) A partial automatic sprinkler system as
			 specified in N.F.P.A. Standard No. 13, 2007, installed throughout the complete
			 exit system and inside every unprotected opening into the exit system. The
			 sprinkler system must be fitted with a swing check valve on the supply side and
			 a fire department connection, except that the fire department connection may be
			 omitted when waived by the authority having jurisdiction. A water flow
			 detection device must be installed that sounds an alarm on the premises or when
			 a building has a fire alarm system, the device is connected into the building
			 fire alarm system.
(b) An automatic
			 smoke detection system engineered specifically for life safety and early
			 warning, installed throughout the premises as specified in N.F.P.A. Standard
			 No. 72 2007 Edition. Heat detectors may be installed in place of smoke
			 detectors in mechanical service rooms, storage rooms, kitchens, custodial
			 closets, and areas not normally occupied or traversed by people. Fire detection
			 system(s) must be interconnected with the building evacuation fire alarm
			 system.
EXCEPTION:
In Group E Occupancies, detectors shall
				not be required in classrooms normally under the direct supervision of a staff
				member unless required by other Oregon Revised Statutes or Oregon
				Administrative Rules.
(c)
			 An approved direct means of egress from each room opening to the outside at
			 ground level. Direct exterior exits must consist of doors, landings, and
			 necessary stairs or ramps complying with the 2010 Edition of the Oregon
			 Structural Specialty Code.
(d) Any
			 other plan submitted by the owner, lessee, agent, or occupant and certified by
			 a registered architect or engineer of the State of Oregon of reasonably
			 adequate expertise in fire and life safety, which will provide a reasonable
			 adequate level of exiting safety from the building or structure in the event of
			 a fire or fire-related emergency.