Comments on: Does This Meet Code 6

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:54:06 +0000

My inspection area is located in Ontario, Canada just North of Toronto.
The Ontario Fire Code requirements state that “Exterior passageways and fire escapes in occupied builduings shall be maintained in good repair and operational and kept free of ice and snow accumulations”.
I would have the owner clear the violation in my presence, which would include salting the area to prevent slipping while the occupants are exiting the building.
If the problem became an ongoing issue during future inspections, I would lay charges against the owner.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:16:23 +0000

I think one of the questions to be asked is what is the location of this door in relation to the rest of the building. If this door was in the rear of the building and used only as an emergency exit I can see it being missed by building maintenance. Remember the PRIME objective is safety and compliance of code. A friendly visit by an inspector to ask that the snow be removed would be the key.
I am in Chicago we got killed with snow. I made 3 site visits on drive by observations and had every snow blocked door brought into compliance. No tickets no mad building owners.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:47:08 +0000

Nick , I agree its an item in snow country that training of staff on when to clean the sidewalks is critical. I always love the odd fire lanes too that don't get the snow cleared, if the snow isn't cleared how do you know where it is? Regardless a heavy snow of 5 inches in an our or blowing snow can create real egress problems Mike , do you guys still allow businesses to have external fire escapes for future tenant changes? This is one of the big issues with those Dale , a great reminder as we are all human! Rick , Do you find the uneven surfaces on existing buildings is hard to fix? Great catch on the external egress lighting. We are working on a post for egress lighting and that will be a great addition Brian , I am sure your town has lots of buildings how do you notify them all of or give a gentle reminder to do this?

By: Brian Dove

Brian Dove — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:55:52 +0000

I have a bigger problem with the drop off outside the door (appears to be 2 blocks – 16″ high) than I do of the snow – living in the Deep South – we just don’t get the snow. If the snow were at the threshold this would give the deception that the ground was level with the interior floor.

Lacking enforcement support, typically in these situations, I would at least notify the owner in writing that the drop off outside the door was a hazard. Many choose to fix it because they were genuinely concerned about their customers, a few more because of their liabilities. Part of our jobs as AHJ’s is to help business owners identify aeas of their business like this that scream “sue me” – this is one of those cases.

By: Rick Kessler

Rick Kessler — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:31:39 +0000

The exterior lighting should also be maintained/check, egress to the public way. Where is the landing that is flush/level with the interior floor that is required on both sides of a door? Signage on door “emergency exit do not block” would help and some type of barricade to prevent this problem along with no parking / fire lane signs.

Checklist
Landings on both sides
Emergency exterior lighting
Do not block door sign
Barricades/curbs to protect people from vehicle traffic when exiting building.

By: Dale Fahrney

Dale Fahrney — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:14:13 +0000

I use a “common violations letter” that I mail out to all of our businesses each fall and ice and snow removal is on the list. When I’m out I always try to look at the buildings, but we cannot be everywhere.

Dale Fahrney
Fire Marshal
Miami Township Division of Fire/EMS

By: Mike Wheeler

Mike Wheeler — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:31:58 +0000

I have an older theater that has a fire escape from a lower roof. Exiting patrons from a converted balcony theater have to traverse 25 – 30 feet of roof to get to the fire escape. During snowfalls, I have to remind the staff to shovel the membrane roof. Snow is definitely a problem.

Means of egress must be maintained to a public way.

By: Nick Markowitz Jr.

Nick Markowitz Jr. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:28:49 +0000

Clearly the snow needs removed properly from door and walkway cleaned.
Most Pa. communities require residential walkways to be cleaned with in 24 hrs and business it varies. but not more than 4 hrs most places during business hours.
In my state.
average snow where I’m located is 1-6 inches not a big deal to clear but further north the community’s up near lake erie get as much as 4-6 ft of snow on the ground on a heavy weekend. which could trap all means of exit if not properly removed. Of course there is also the concern of roof collapse in these heavy snow areas as well.
Clearly from the pictures the snow was not cleared properly and exit could be impeded