TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE PROCEDURES

24.02.02.X1.14 FIRE SAFETY FOR STATE-OWNED RESIDENCES
Approved: September 27, 2000
Revised: October 5, 2001
Supplements System Policy 24.02 and System Regulation 24.02.02 with its additional requirements

The National Fire Protection Association 101 Life Safety Code is the standard to be followed for all fire safety related issues. Part of the Code describes equipment needed to provide protection, notification and suppression systems to occupants of residences in the event of fire and/or smoke. Unit heads shall take necessary action to ensure compliance with this Code in any state-owned residence(s) located at the unit.

A. Apartment building – contains three or more dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities

B. Dormitory – contains sleeping accommodations for more than 16 persons who are not members of the same family in one room or a series of closely associated rooms, but without cooking facilities

C. Dwelling unit – a single unit, providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation

D. Hotel – a building with sleeping accommodations for more than 16 persons and primarily used by transients for lodging with or without meals

E. Living area – any normally occupiable space in a residence other than sleeping rooms or rooms that are intended for combination sleeping / living, bathrooms, kitchens, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas.

F. Lodging or rooming house – building that provides a sleeping room(s) for a total of 16 or fewer persons, but without separate cooking facilities for individual occupants

G. One- and two-family dwellings – buildings containing not more than two dwelling units in which each dwelling unit is occupied by members of a single family

H. Secondary means of escape – a door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at ground level that is independent of and remote from the primary means of escape; an operable outside window, at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high, not more the 44 inches above the floor and within 20 feet of grade

I. Sleeping area – an area of the family living unit in which the bedrooms (or sleeping rooms) are located. Bedrooms (or sleeping rooms) separated by other use areas, such as kitchens or living rooms (but not bathrooms) are considered as separate sleeping areas

A. Fire extinguishers

1. Provide at least one 2 ½ pound ABC fire extinguisher for each dwelling unit.

2. Install the extinguisher in a designated, accessible area (e.g., on the wall inside a pantry or closet).

3. The extinguisher should be inspected on a regular basis, but at least annually by a licensed technician.

B. Smoke detectors

1. Provide a smoke detector outside every sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms of one- or two-family dwellings and apartments.

2. Provide a smoke detector in every sleeping room of a dormitory, a hotel, or a lodging or rooming house.

3. Battery-powered smoke detectors are acceptable if:

a. the battery is tested monthly

b. the detector sounds an audible trouble signal before the battery is incapable of operating; the trouble signal must be able to sound at least once per minute for seven consecutive days

c. the detector is capable of producing an alarm signal for at least 4 minutes

d. a readily noticeable, visible indication is displayed when a primary battery is removed from the unit.

C. Every sleeping room and living area shall have access to a secondary means of escape unless the sleeping room or living area has a door leading directly to the outside of the building at ground level.

D. The entrance / exit door to an apartment or to a dormitory or hotel room that does not open directly to the outside shall be equipped with a self-closure device.

E. Except where the main exterior exit door is obviously and clearly identifiable as an exit, dormitories and hotels shall have continuously illuminated, approved, readily visible exit signs.

F. A floor diagram indicating exit locations shall be posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the door to every sleeping room in a dormitory or hotel.

Questions regarding this procedure should be referred to the Texas AgriLife Research/ Texas AgriLife Extension Service Safety Coordinator at 979-862-4038.