Chapter 156 – Housing Code

(2) Obstructions of space by such items as water and gas pipes and cabinetry shall be permitted when such obstructions are located within two feet of a partition or wall, do not interfere with normal ingress and egress, would not interfere with an emergency ingress or egress, and are approved by the inspector. Obstruction of ceiling space shall be permitted when such obstruction is located at a height of not less than six feet, four inches from the floor and which does not occupy more than 25 percent of the cubic area of the space within a room further than six feet, four inches from the floor. 12. Fire Protection Equipment. All fire extinguishers and early warning fire protection systems shall be properly installed according to the City Fire Code. 156.18 MINIMUM STRUCTURE STANDARDS FOR ALL RENTAL HOUSING. 1. Direct Access. Access to each dwelling unit or rooming unit shall not require first entering any other dwelling unit or rooming unit, except access to rooming units may be through a living room or kitchen of a unit occupied by the owner-operator of the structure. No dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room or Type III dwelling unit is available only by going through another sleeping room or Type III dwelling unit, nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room or Type III dwelling unit is available only by going through another sleeping room or Type III dwelling unit. A bathroom or water closet compartment shall not be used as the only passageway to any habitable room, hallway, basement, or cellar or to the exterior of the dwelling unit or rooming unit. 2. Lighting of Public Halls and Stairways. A. Public passageways and stairways in dwellings accommodating two to four dwelling units or rooming units shall be provided with a convenient wall-mounted light switch which activates an adequate lighting system. B. Public passageways and stairways in buildings accommodating more than four dwelling units or rooming units shall be lighted at all times with an adequate artificial lighting system, except such artificial lighting may be omitted from sunrise to sunset where an adequate natural lighting system is provided. Whenever the occupancy of a building exceeds 100 persons, the artificial lighting system as required herein shall be on an emergency circuit. 3. Fire Extinguishers. Fire extinguishers which are approved by the Fire Marshal shall be provided within every single-family dwelling, dwelling unit within a duplex, and dwelling unit within a multiple dwelling. Multiple dwellings shall have fire extinguishers located within each laundry room and central mechanical room; except where these rooms are contiguous, they may be served by one fire extinguisher. Laundry rooms and central mechanical rooms which are equipped with an automatic sprinkler system are exempt. The minimum size fire extinguisher is a 2-A 10-B:C. Fire extinguishers must be properly mounted and in an area of easy access. Fire extinguishers with a classification less than 2-A 10-B:C or lacking an ABC rating shall be replaced with a 2-A 10-B:C or larger unit by July 31, 1994. Rooming houses are required to have a 2-A 10-B:C rated fire extinguisher supplied on each floor level, including habitable basement areas, and in each kitchen. Fire extinguishers supplied in areas of public access shall be contained within an approved tamper-proof cabinet. 4. Early Warning Fire Protection System. All dwelling units and rooming units shall be provided with smoke detectors as approved by the Fire Marshal. Smoke detectors shall be