Chapter 3.36
APARTMENT HOUSES
Sections:
3.36.040 Purpose and scope.
3.36.080 Definitions.
3.36.120 Enforcement.
3.36.160 Conformance deadline.
3.36.200 Number of exits.
3.36.240 Stair construction.
3.36.280 Fire escapes.
3.36.320 Exit signs and illumination.
3.36.360 Enclosure of vertical openings.
3.36.400 Boiler and furnace room firewalls.
3.36.440 Smoke detectors in common areas.
3.36.480 Alternates.
3.36.520 Damage or removal of required equipment.
3.36.560 Violation – Notice.
3.36.600 Violation – Penalty.
3.36.040 Purpose and scope.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a reasonable degree of safety to occupants of apartment houses by requiring alterations to existing buildings which do not conform with the minimum requirements of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall apply exclusively to apartment houses constructed prior to February 20, 1979. [Ord. 3295 § 1, 1981.]
3.36.080 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the words and phrases below shall have the following meanings:
A. “Apartment house” means any building more than one story in height containing four or more dwelling units constructed prior to February 20, 1979.
B. “Dwelling unit” means an efficiency dwelling unit as defined in the International Building Code or a suite of two or more rooms with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
C. “Story” means and includes each floor or separate level of living space within any building, including basements. [Amended during 2007 codification; Ord. 3295 § 2, 1981.]
3.36.120 Enforcement.
The city manager or his designees are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter and in so doing are vested with the authority of the International Building Code as adopted by the city of Ellensburg. [Amended during 2007 codification; Ord. 3201 § 3, 1979.]
3.36.160 Conformance deadline.
After December 31, 1981, no apartment house shall be used for human occupancy unless such apartment house conforms to the requirements of this chapter, and no owner, lessee or other person entitled to or in possession of any apartment house shall cause or allow such building to be so occupied unless such building conforms to the requirements of this chapter; provided, that an apartment owner may request a time extension up to 12 months to complete required improvements. Said time extension may be granted only by the city council. [Ord. 3295 § 4, 1981.]
3.36.200 Number of exits.
Every apartment house with living or sleeping units in the basement or designed for or capable of occupancy by 11 or more persons above the first floor shall be constructed so that all occupants have access to not less than two continuous and unobstructed means of egress to ground level complying with the provisions of this chapter. Common exit doors shall swing freely in the direction of exit travel. A fire escape from each story above the ground floor which conforms to specifications of ECC 3.36.280 may be used as one such required exit. In basement units, one of the two required exits may be a window; providing, that the window has a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet, a minimum clear height dimension of 24 inches, a minimum clear width dimension of 20 inches, and a finished sill height of no more than 44 inches above the floor. [Ord. 3295 § 5, 1981.]
3.36.240 Stair construction.
All stairs shall have a minimum run of nine inches and a maximum rise of eight inches and a minimum width of 30 inches, exclusive of handrail. Every stairway shall have at least one handrail. A landing having a minimum horizontal dimension of 30 inches shall be provided at each point of access to the stairway. [Ord. 3295 § 6, 1981.]
3.36.280 Fire escapes.
Fire escapes may be used as one means of egress, if the pitch does not exceed 60 degrees, the width is not less than 18 inches, the runs are not less than four inches, with a maximum rise of 10 inches, and they extend to the ground or are provided with counterbalance stairs reaching to the ground. Access shall be by an opening having a minimum dimension of 29 inches when open. The sill shall be not more than 30 inches above the floor and landing. Access to fire escapes shall be from a common corridor or public area. Access shall be free and clear of storage, furnishings, or other obstructions. The fire escapes shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or wood of not less than two inches nominal thickness. [Ord. 3295 § 7, 1981.]
3.36.320 Exit signs and illumination.
A. Exitways and exit signs shall be required and lighted, and exit signs shall be visible from every point in the corridor and have letters at least five inches high where direct exit to the path of egress is not obvious, directing a clear and unobstructed path of egress to each required exit.
B. Signs shall be illuminated so that the exit sign is readily visible to the farthest occupant served by the sign. Directional exit signs are required at each point where the direction of egress is not obvious. [Ord. 3295 § 8, 1981.]
3.36.360 Enclosure of vertical openings.
A. Buildings more than two stories in height shall have elevators, shafts, ducts and other vertical openings (except stairways) enclosed as required for stairways in the International Building Code, or by wired glass set in steel frames.
B. Exception. Gas vents and noncombustible piping installed by walls of a building passing through three floors or less (four, if equipped with automatic fire-extinguishing system) need not be protected. Such shafts shall be effectively draft- stopped at each floor or ceiling. [Amended during 2007 codification; Ord. 3295 § 9, 1981.]
3.36.400 Boiler and furnace room firewalls.
Boiler and furnace rooms shall be separated from the rest of the building by a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation as specified in the International Building Code. [Amended during 2007 codification; Ord. 3295 § 10, 1981.]
3.36.440 Smoke detectors in common areas.
Smoke detector devices shall be installed and maintained in common areas. [Ord. 3295 § 11, 1981.]
3.36.480 Alternates.
No alternate method of providing fire protection and safety measures required by this chapter shall be deemed to comply with this chapter unless such alternate method is determined by the board of appeals to provide for protection and safety to an extent equivalent to the requirements of this chapter. [Ord. 3295 § 12, 1981.]
3.36.520 Damage or removal of required equipment.
Fire safety equipment installed in buildings, including extinguishers, smoke or heat alarms or any other early warning devices, shall not be damaged, made inoperative or removed except for maintenance or replacement by the owner or with the owner's approval. [Ord. 3295 § 13, 1981.]
3.36.560 Violation – Notice.
No owner shall be subject to a penalty as provided in ECC 3.36.600 unless the owner has received a 30-day prior written notice of violation. [Ord. 3295 § 15, 1981.]
3.36.600 Violation – Penalty.
Any persons, firms or corporations convicted of violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not to exceed $250.00 for each offense. A separate offense shall be deemed to be committed during each day any violation occurs or continues. [Ord. 3295 § 14, 1981.]