Building Code Title 27 Subchapter 8

Title 27 / Subchapter 8

205

SUBCHAPTER 8

PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[Sub-Art. Art.

or Sec.]*

or Sec.**

[800.0] Art. 1 General

[800.1] 522 Scope

[800.2] 523 Definitions

[800.3] 524 Tents and Air Supported

Structures

[801.0] Art. 2 Basic Requirements

[801.1] 525 General

525.1 Place of Assembly Permit

[801.2] 526 Location

[801.3] 527 Posted Capacity

[801.4] 528 Approved Seating Plans

[801.5] 529 Enclosure and Interior

Finish

[801.6] 530 Means of Egress

[801.7] 531 Seating in Assembly

Spaces

[801.8] 532 Aisles and Cross Aisles

[801.9] 533 Travel Distance

[801.10] 534 Exit Openings

[801.11] 535 Safe Areas

[801.12] 536 Corridors

[801.13] 537 Exit Passageways

[801.14] 538 Vertical Exits

[801.15] 539 Open Exterior Spaces

[801.16] 540 Exit Lighting

[801.17] 541 Exit Signs

[801.18] 542 Emergency Lighting

[801.19] 543 Light Projection Sources

[801.20] 544 Motion Picture Screen

[802.0] Art. 3 F-1 Places of Assembly

[802.1] 545 General

[802.2] 546 F-1a Places of Assembly

[802.3] 547 F-1b Places of Assembly

[803.0] Art. 4 F-2 Places of Assembly

[803.1] 548 General

[804.0] Art. 5 F-3 and F-4 Places of

Assembly

[804.1] 549 General

*"C26" omitted from section numbers in this column.

**"27" omitted from section numbers in this column.

LIST OF TABLES

Table No.

8-1 Determination of Exit and Access Requirements

ARTICLE 1 GENERAL

***§[C26-800.1] 27-522 Scope. -

The provisions of this subchapter shall control the

design and construction of places of assembly as

defined in subchapter two of this chapter. For specific

classifications of assembly occupancies, see article

eight of subchapter three of this chapter. For place of

assembly permit requirements, see section 27-525.1 of

article two of this subchapter.

***Local Law 23-1990.

§[C26-800.2] 27-523 Definitions. -

For definitions to be used in the interpretation of this

subchapter, see subchapter two of this chapter.

§[C26-800.3] 27-524 Tents and air supported structures.-

Places of assembly enclosed by tents or air supported

structures shall comply with the provisions of this

subchapter regulating indoor places of assembly, and with

the provisions of article nineteen of subchapter seven of

this chapter.

ARTICLE 2 BASIC REQUIREMENTS

§[C26-801.1] 27-525 General. -

The provisions of this article shall apply to all places

of assembly, in addition to the specific requirements of

articles three through five of this subchapter for the

several categories of places of assembly.

**§27-525.1 Place of assembly permit. -

a. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy any building

or premises or part thereof as a place of assembly

unless and until a permit therefor shall have been

issued by the department. The permit shall be for a

term of one year.

b. The application for such permit and such permit

shall be in a form prescribed by the commissioner.

c. The annual fee for a permit issued pursuant to

this section shall be the amount provided for in

paragraph seven of subdivision a of section 26-214 of

the code. An application for such permit or renewal

thereof shall be accompanied by the annual fee, except

as otherwise provided in section 26-210 of the code.

d. The permit issued pursuant to this section shall

be posted in a conspicuous place in the place of

assembly, which is covered by such permit.

e. In the case of a permittee that is an establishment

that offers for sale food and/or beverages for on-

premises consumption, but not including establish-

ments operated by a not-for-profit corporation, and

employs or uses the services of a security guard, as

that term is defined in subdivision six of section eighty

nine-f of the general business law, such permittee shall

comply with the provisions of article 7-A of the

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Title 27 / Subchapter 8

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OCCUPANCY BY MORE THAN______PERSONS

IS DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL

Public Assembly License No________ Commissioner,

(where applicable) Dept. of Buildin

s, Cit

of New

OCCUPANCY BY MORE THAN

(number)____PERSONS AS____(type of occupancy)____

OR BY

(number)____PERSONS AS____(type of occupancy)____

OR BY

(number)____PERSONS AS____(type of occupancy)____

IS DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL

Public Assembly License No_______ Commissioner,

(where applicable) Dept. of Buildings, City of New York

general business law, shall obtain proof that such

security guard is registered pursuant to article 7-A of

the general business law, shall maintain such proof in

a readily available location, in accordance with rules

promulgated by the commissioner during all hours in

which such place of assembly is open to the public,

shall maintain a roster of all security guards working

at any given time when such place of assembly is open

to the public, and shall

require each security guard to maintain on his or her

person proof of registration at all times when on the

premises.

f. For purposes of this section, there shall be a

rebuttable presumption that a person employed or

whose services are retained at a place of assembly

whose job functions include (1) the monitoring or

guarding of the entrance or exit of such place of

assembly to manage ingress and egress to such place

of assembly for security purposes during the hours of

operation of such establishment and/or (2) protection

of such place of assembly from disorderly or other

unlawful conduct by such patrons is a security guard

provided, however, that such rebuttable presumption

shall not apply to the owner of such establishment as

described in subdivision e of this section that has

received a place of assembly permit.

g. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter,

only the permittee shall be liable for violations of this

section that relate to a permittee’s obligations

regarding security guards.

h. In addition to employees of the department,

employees of the police department and the

department of consumer affairs shall have the

authority to enforce the provisions of this section

regarding security guards.

i. The enforcement agency shall report any

violation of the provisions of this section relating to

security guards to the state liquor authority if the

permittee holds a license pursuant to the alcoholic

beverage control law.

**Local Law 35-2006; Local Law 23-1990.

§[C26-801.2] 27-526 Location. –

No place of assembly shall be located within two

hundred fifty feet of any occupancy containing explosive

contents.

§[C26-801.3] 27-527 Posted capacity. -

Signs shall be posted in all assembly spaces,

indicating the number of persons who may legally

occupy the space. Signs shall not be required where

seating is fixed in place in accordance with an

approved seating plan and no provision is made for

standee spaces. Such signs, where required, shall read

as follows:

When a space is occupied for multiple purposes

involving different occupant loads the sign shall read

as follows:

Signs shall be at least twelve inches wide and sixteen

inches high. The lettering shall be red on a white

background. The letters shall be at least one inch high

and the numerals at least one and one-quarter inches

high. Signs shall be framed under a transparent protective

cover, and permanently mounted in a location that is

conspicuously visible to a person entering the space.

Signs shall be lighted by artificial illumination at all

times during occupancy to maintain at least five foot

candles on the surface of the sign.

§[C26-801.4] 27-528 Approved seating plans. -

In every place of assembly providing seating, copies

of approved seating plans and approved alternate

seating plans shall be kept on the premises. The plans

shall be readily available for inspection, and shall

provide the following information:

(a) For assembly spaces:

(1) The location of each seat of each tier of seating,

along with the number of occupants of each seating

section.

(2) The location and number of standees for each

standee area.

(3) The total number of occupants of each tier

and of the assembly space.

(4) The location and classification of all exits.

(b)For safe areas:

(1) The furniture and equipment arrangement and

location.

(2) The number of occupants to be accommodated.

(1) The maximum number of occupants, including

audience seating on the stage.

(2) Any conditions limiting the use of the stage area.

(3) The location of all exits.

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Title 27 / Subchapter 8

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These plans shall not be smaller in size than required

for one-eighth inch scale plans.

§[C26-801.5] 27-529 Enclosure and interior finish. -

Places of assembly shall be separated from adjoining

occupancies by construction meeting the requirements of table

5-1 or table 5-2, whichever may apply. The interior finish of

places of assembly shall meet the requirements of table 5-4.

§[C26-801.6] 27-530 Means of egress. -

Places of assembly shall be provided with exit

facilities meeting all of the requirements of this

subchapter and all of the requirements of subchapter six

of this chapter. A place of assembly located in a

building classified in another occupancy group shall

comply with the exit requirements of this subchapter,

but may use the exit facilities of the building of which

it is a part as a means of egress from the building.

§[C26-801.7] 27-531 Seating in assembly spaces. -

All seating in assembly spaces shall conform to the

following:

(a) Seating arrangements.- Except as otherwise

provided in this subchapter, all seating shall be arranged

in rows to provide for orderly egress.

(1) CHAIR SEATING. - Seating patterns

employing individual chairs shall comply with the

following:

a. Assembly spaces in which the net floor area,

exclusive of stage area, is less than eight square feet per

person shall be provided with chairs that are rigidly

anchored to the construction or fixed in place by devices

that prevent movement in any direction, except that not

more than twelve movable chairs may be provided in a

box or loge if such box or loge is separated from the

main seating pattern by railings or other permanent

construction and has an area of at least five square feet

per chair.

b.In assembly spaces where the net floor

area, exclusive of stage area, is between eight and

twelve square feet per person, movable chairs may be

used provided all chairs in a row between aisles are

fastened or ganged together to preserve the integrity of

the row. Not more than twelve chairs shall be used in

any row between aisles.

c. In assembly spaces where net floor area,

exclusive of stage area, is more than twelve square

feet per person, individual movable chairs may be

used.

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Not more than twelve chairs shall be used in any row

between aisles.

d. All chairs placed on stepped platforms less

than four feet wide shall be anchored or fixed in place.

e. The minimum distance between centerlines

of chairs in the same row shall be nineteen inches.

f. The spacing between the back of one chair

in any row and any part of the chair in the row behind

it, including arm blocks, when the seat is in the lift-up

position for automatic operation or in the horizontal

position for nonlift-up or nonautomatic operation,

when measured horizontally between plumb lines,

shall be at least twelve inches, and this spacing shall

be increased for any of the following reasons:

1. Where a difference in floor level occurs

between any two rows, the spacing shall be increased

as follows:

Difference in Level (in.) Increase in Space (i

6-10, plus any fraction of an inch.. 1

11-16, plus any fraction of an inch 2

17-22, plus any fraction of an inch 3

23 and over………………………. 4

2. Where it is necessary from any location

to pass more than seven chairs to reach the nearest

aisle, spacing shall be increased one-quarter of an inch

for each chair in excess of seven.

g. Not more than eight chairs shall be

provided in any row of seating having access to only

one aisle except as provided below for bleacher and

platform seating.

h. Performance viewing positions shall be

provided for persons who use wheelchairs in

accordance with the following schedule.

Local Law 58-1987.

Capacity of Assembl

Space

Number of Viewing

Positions

75 to 100…………. …………….minimum 4

101 to 150………... …………….minimum 5

151 to 200………... …………….minimum 6

201 to 300………... ……………………….7

301 to 400………... ……………………….8

401 to 500………... ……………………….9

501 to 1000……..…………….. 2 percent of total

Over 1000………... 20 plus 1 for each 100

over 1000

These positions shall be located so as not to interfere

with egress from any row of seats and shall be

reachable by means of ramps and/or elevators. Steps

shall not be allowed in line of travel from the main

approach entry to the designated locations. Size and

placement of wheelchair locations, surfaces, access to

performing area and listening systems where required,

shall comply with the provisions of reference standard

RS 4-6. These positions may be utilized by persons

who do not use wheelchairs provided that the positions

are delineated on the approved seating plans, the

seating is readily removable and the positions are

unsold one full working day before the performance.

(2) BLEACHER SEATING. -

Fixed or folding

bleachers shall comply with the following:

a. For the purpose of determining occupant

load, individual seat space width shall be assumed to

be eighteen inches. There shall be a space of at least

fourteen and one-half inches between the back edge of

each seat and the front edge of the seat immediately

behind it when measured between plumb lines.

b. The width of footboards and seat boards shall

be at least nine and one-half inches. Where wider seat

boards are provided, the space between seats may be

reduced by an amount equivalent to the increase in width.

c. Sections having not more than ten

consecutive rows of seating shall not require aisles.

Where there are more than ten consecutive rows, aisles

shall be provided at the ends of seat rows, the

minimum spacing between seat rows shall be

increased to sixteen inches and the required space

between seat rows shall be increased by one-quarter of

an inch for each seat in excess of seven that it is

necessary to pass to reach an aisle. Cross aisles shall

be provided at the bottom of each section of seating.

d. Bleacher seating shall be constructed to

comply with the requirements of subchapters nine and

ten of this chapter

(3) PLATFORM SEATING. - Stepped platforms

used for seating without chairs shall comply with the

following:

a. For the purpose of determining occupant load,

individual seat space width shall be assumed to be

eighteen inches.

b. Platforms shall be at least twenty-eight

inches deep from front to back.

c. Platform depth shall be increased one-

quarter of an inch for each seat in excess of seven that

it is necessary to pass to reach an aisle.

d. Aisles complying with section 27-532 of

this article shall be provided when the height between

levels of platform seating exceeds eight inches

(4) BENCH SEATING. - Bench or pew seating,

with or without backs, may be used when complying with

the applicable requirements for chair seating in [sic]

paragraph one of this subdivision. For the purpose of

determining occupant load, individual seat space width

shall be assumed to be eighteen inches.

(5) TABLE AND CHAIR SEATING. - Tables and

chairs shall be so arranged that the distance from any

chair at any table by way of a path between tables and

chairs is not greater than eighteen feet to an aisle

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leading to an exit. The width of the path shall be at

least eighteen inches, except that it may be reduced by

one inch for each one foot that the distance to the aisle

is less than eighteen feet but may not be reduced to

less than twelve inches. Chairs, when placed with the

front edge of the seat on a line with the edge of the table,

shall not protrude into the path. Booths containing up

to eight seats may be used, provided they open directly

on an aisle.

(6) COUNTER SEATING. - Counters at which

food or beverages are consumed shall be attached to

the floor. Fixed or movable chairs or stools may be

provided. The number of occupants shall be

determined on the basis of one occupant for each

eighteen inches of counter length. The width of aisles

bordering counters shall be measured excluding a

depth of eighteen inches for chair or stool spaces.

(7) STANDEE AREAS. - Standee areas may be

permitted within assembly spaces provided each

standee space has a minimum width of twenty-two

inches and a minimum depth of twenty-one inches.

Standee areas shall not encroach on the required exit

facilities and shall be separated from the space to be

left clear for passage by tape, ribbon or other easily

broken material, supported by lightweight posts fixed

in stationary sockets, so constructed and placed as to not

constitute an obstruction in case of panic or emergency.

(8) PROTECTIVE GUARDS. - Protective guards

shall be provided for seating and standee areas as

follows:

a. A protective guard at least thirty inches

high above the floor shall be provided along the fascia

of all balconies, loges, and boxes, except that the

guard shall be at least thirty-six inches high at the

bottom of stepped aisles. When rails or other parts of

such guards are designed with ledges more than two

and one-half inches wide, the top surface of the ledges

shall slope down toward the seating area at an angle of

at least thirty degrees from the horizontal. The guards

shall provide an unperforated curb or toeguard at least

twelve inches high above the level of the floor of the

balcony, loge, or box.

b. A protective guard at least thirty inches high

above the floor shall be provided at cross aisles where

fixed seat backs of any adjacent lower level do not

project at least twenty-four inches above the cross aisle

level.

c. A protective guard at least eighteen inches

high above the floor shall be provided along the front

edge of any stepped platform where fixed seat backs

of the adjacent lower level do not project at least

eighteen inches above the stepped platform level.

d. A protective guard at least twenty-six

inches high above seat level shall be provided at the

open ends of bleacher seating, extending from the

front of the third row of seats to the back of the

highest row of seats, and continuously along the rear

of the seating, except where the seating is adjacent to a

wall.

Guards shall be designed to meet the load

requirements for railings in subchapter nine of this chapter.

§[C26-801.8] 27-532 Aisles and cross aisles. –

Assembly spaces shall be served by aisles, cross

aisles, or other unobstructed floor areas providing

access to exits, except as permitted for bleacher seating in

paragraph two of subdivision (a) of section 27-531 of

this article.

(a) The capacity of aisles and cross aisles shall be

adequate to serve all persons for whom they provide a

primary path of travel to an exit. (See section 27-533

of this article.)

(1) CAPACITY. - The capacity of aisles and

cross aisles shall be as listed in table 8-1. The unit of

exit width shall be twenty-two inches. Seats or other

facilities shall not project into an aisle or cross aisle so

as to reduce the width of the aisle or cross aisle more

than one inch per unit of exit width.

(2) MINIMUM WIDTH. - Aisles and cross aisles

shall have a minimum width of forty-four inches

except that the width may be at least thirty-six inches

under any one or more of the following conditions:

a. In any assembly space having a total of not

more than three hundred occupants.

b. When not more than the number of persons

permitted for one unit of exit width is served.

c. At the narrowest point when a tapered aisle

is permitted under paragraph three of this subdivision.

When an aisle parallels and is alongside an

enclosure wall or partition that is provided with exit doors

spaced not more than sixteen feet on centers, provided

such aisle serves only the rows of seats adjacent to it

(3) TAPERED AISLES. - Tapered aisles shall be

used where egress is provided only at one end of the

aisle, except that uniform aisles may be used when

their width for the entire length will accommodate eighty

percent of the total occupant load served by the aisle.

Tapered aisles shall be widened gradually so that their

width at the point of discharge provides for the entire

occupant load of the aisle.

(4) UNIFORM AISLES. - Aisles of uniform width

shall be used where egress is provided at both ends of an

aisle by either cross aisles or exit doors. The width of

uniform aisles shall not be less than required for sixty

percent of the total occupant load served by the aisles.

(5) AISLE WIDTH AT OPENINGS. - When an

aisle or cross aisle discharges directly into exit

openings, a space shall be provided in front of such

openings that is at least as wide as such openings and

at least as deep as the width of the aisle or cross aisle.

(6) CROSS AISLES. - Cross aisles, at any point

shall not be closer than twelve feet to a stage area

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using scenery or scenic elements. Steppings shall not

be permitted in cross aisles.

(7) AISLE GRADIENTS AND STEPPINGS. - The

floors of aisles shall have a gradient of not more than one

in eight. Where differences in levels require a greater

gradient, steps shall be used, complying with the

following:

a. When one riser only is used between levels

of platforms, its height shall not exceed eight inches,

and where more than one riser is used, none shall

exceed seven and three-quarter inches.

b.No riser shall be less than four inches high.

c. No riser shall vary from the height of the

riser immediately above or below except that risers

that are separated by a tread of seventeen inches or

more may vary up to one-quarter inch.

d.The width of treads of intermediate steps

between platform levels shall be at least nine and one-

half inches, but not more than ten and one-half inches,

exclusive of nosings.

e. Treads at the level of platforms and

seventeen inches or more in width may slope not more

than one-quarter inch in twelve inches.

f. No steps shall be used to enter a row of

seats from an aisle unless an unobstructed floor space

of at least seven square feet is provided at the level of

the aisle, between the aisle and the steps.

g.Each step in an aisle shall be marked along

its nosing with a permanent contrasting color stripe,

and shall be provided with a step light.

h.The line of risers of aisle steppings shall

deviate no more than twenty degrees from a line

perpendicular to the centerline of the aisle.

(8) STEPPED AISLE LANDINGS. - Stepped

aisles shall

be provided with landings at exit openings, and shall

have a length equal to at least the width of the aisle

and a slope of not more than one in twelve.

(9) LIGHTING. - Aisles and cross aisles shall be

provided at all times with at least one-half foot candle

of artificial illumination by electrical means.

(10) VOMITORIES. - Vomitories within assembly

spaces shall comply with all of the requirements for

aisles, and shall have a clear ceiling height of at least

seven feet.

§[C26-801.9] 27-533 Travel distance. -

At least one exit opening shall be available from every

attached seat or standee space in an assembly space, or

from the most remote point in the space when movable

seats are provided or, when no seats are provided, within

the primary travel distance limitation listed in table 8-1.

In addition, an alternate exit opening shall be available

from every attached seat or standee space, or from the

most remote point when attached seats are not provided

within the secondary travel distance limitation listed in

table 8-1. Such alternate exit openings may serve to

satisfy the requirements for primary travel distance for

other seats or locations. Exit openings satisfying the

primary and secondary travel distance requirements for

any one seat or location shall be separated from each

other by a distance of at least twenty-five feet.

(a) Travel distance shall be the measured distance

along centerlines of paths of travel to the centerline of

the exit opening, as adjusted by penalties for multi-

directional or stepped travel as provided below.

(1) No path of travel shall be permitted through rows

of seating other than the first leg of travel from a seat to an

aisle.

(2) The first thirty-five feet of a primary path of

travel and a secondary path of travel may be

common to each other except that this distance may be

increased to fifty feet in F-2 places of assembly.

(3) Not more than three changes in direction of

travel shall be permitted in the path of travel to an exit

opening. A change in direction shall be deemed to occur

when it is necessary to change direction by a forty-five

degrees or greater angle, measured from the preceding

line of travel, except that it shall not be considered as a

change in direction when it is necessary in an aisle or

cross aisle to travel in another direction not more than

seven feet.

(4) Travel distance shall be the sum of the

distances of all segments of travel to the exit, computed

as follows:

Segment Length

First leg of travel Measured distance

Second leg of travel after

first change in direction

Measured distance

Third leg of travel after

second change in direction

1.25 times measured

distance

Fourth leg of travel after

third change in direction

1.40 times measured

distance

Any leg of travel with

four or more steps

1.25 times length of segment

as computed above

§[C26-801.10] 27-534 Exit openings. -

Exit openings from assembly spaces shall comply with

the following:

(a) Capacity. - The capacity of exit openings shall

be listed as in table 8-1, based on the number of

occupants for whom the opening satisfies the primary

travel distance requirement.

(b)Width. - Exit openings shall be at least thirty-six

inches wide for single doors and at least sixty-six inches

but not more than eighty-eight inches wide for doors

swinging in pairs, except that in assembly spaces having

an occupant load of over three hundred persons, single

door openings shall be at least forty-four inches wide.

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TABLE 8-1 DETERMINATION OF EXIT AND ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

Capacity

(number of persons per unit of width)

Maximum Travel Distance

Doors or Openings

Within Assembly Space (ft.)

Occupancy

Group

Classification

Primary Secondary

Aisle and

Cross Aisle

From

Assembly

Space

From

Safe

Area

Stairs and

Escalators

Ramps, Corridors, Safe

Areas, Exit Passageways

F-1a

85 125 80 50 100 60 80

F-1b

100 125 90 80 125 80 100

F2 175 250 400 400 500 320 425

F3 100

125

90 80 125 80 100

F4 85

125

80 50 100 60 80

Notes:

See section 27-533. When an exit opening from an assembly space discharges into corridor that does not meet the requirements of this code for a safe area,

the travel distance shall include the distance within the corridor to an exit.

See paragraph four of subdivision (b) of section 27-546 for stages.

See paragraph three of subdivision (b) of section 27-547 for stages.

In place of assembly completely equipped with automatic sprinklers, this distance may be increased fifty percent.

See section 27-532.

Bracket not enacted but probably intended.

spaces shall be classified as follows:

Class. 1.- Exit openings that are used for normal

entry to the assembly space, and that open directly to a

safe area or to an open exterior space.

Class 2.-Exit openings that are not used for

normal entry to the assembly space, and that open

directly to a safe area or to an open exterior space.

Class 3.-Exit openings that open from the assembly

space into corridors, exit passageways, or vertical exits.

(d)Distribution of classes. - The required exit

capacity from F-2 places of assembly, and from all other

assembly spaces in which the net floor area, exclusive

of stage area, is twelve square feet or more per person

may be provided by exit openings of any class. The

required exit capacity from assembly spaces in which

the net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is less than

twelve square feet per person shall be distributed so

that exit openings of each class are provided to

comply with the following requirements:

1. For assembly spaces in which the mean floor

level is not more than fifteen feet above or below the

adjoining grade elevation, the exit capacity shall be

distributed as follows:

Class 1- not less than forty percent

Class 2- not more than sixty percent

Class 3- not more than forty percent

2.For assembly spaces in which the mean floor

level is more than fifteen feet, but not more than thirty

feet, above or below the adjoining grade elevation, the

exit capacity shall be distributed as follows:

Class 1 - not less than sixty percent

Class 3 - not more than forty percent

3.For assembly spaces in which the mean floor

level is more than thirty feet above or below the

adjoining grade elevation, the exit capacity shall be

distributed as follows:

Class 1- not less than one hundred percent

(e) Location. - No exit opening shall be closer than

twelve feet to any part of a stage using scenery or

scenic elements. All exit openings shall be clearly

identifiable and shall not be disguised as part of a wall

or covered in any way to obscure them from view.

Where, because of the configuration of the assembly

space enclosure, an exit opening is not visible from all

seats using it as a means of egress,

directional exit signs

shall be placed on the

enclosure alongside the exit

opening to indicate its location. These signs shall be in

addition to those required over the exit opening.

(f) Locking. - No exit door shall be locked so as to

prevent egress from an assembly space while it is

occupied.

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§[C26-801.11] 27-535 Safe areas. –

Safe areas shall comply with the following:

(a) When provided to serve class one or class two exit

openings safe areas shall be separated from assembly spaces

by noncombustible construction having a two hour fire-

resistance rating, and shall serve as transition areas in the line

and direction of exit travel. They shall serve for normal entry

to the assembly space and may be used as corridors, lobbies,

or lounges. No room or space classified in occupancy group

A, B-1, D-1, or D-2 shall open upon a safe area. Safe areas

shall be at a level not more than six feet above or below the

level at which egress is made from the assembly space,

except that a separate safe area shall not be required for any

assembly space having an occupant load of less than one

hundred fifty persons and which is served by a safe area of

another assembly space, when such safe area is in the

direction of egress. Ventilating systems for safe areas shall

not be connected to systems serving any other spaces, unless

separated from such systems by fire dampers actuated by

smoke detectors meeting the construction requirements of

subchapter thirteen of this chapter.

(1) COLLECTING SAFE AREAS. -

Places of assembly having more than one assembly

space may have a collecting safe area that receives the

occupant load discharged into it by other safe areas.

Collecting safe areas shall be located within six feet

above or below the assembly space nearest to grade.

(2) OCCUPANT LOAD. - The occupant load of

a safe area shall be the aggregate occupant load of all

exit openings discharging directly into it. The

occupant load of a collecting safe area shall be the

aggregate occupant load of all exit openings

discharging directly into it, plus fifty percent of the

occupant load of other safe areas discharging into it.

(3) DIMENSIONS.- Except as provided in

subdivision four of this section, the clear unobstructed floor

area of each safe area shall be sufficient to accommodate

the total occupant load of the safe area on the basis of

two square feet per person, not including space occupied

by furniture or equipment. The minimum dimension of

such unobstructed space shall be eight feet. The width of

the unobstructed space shall be measured at right angles to

the direction of travel to an exit and shall not be less than

required for the occupant load, on the basis of the exit

capacity listed in table 8-1. The height of safe areas shall

be at least eight feet at all points.

(4) SAFE AREAS NEAR GRADE. - When a safe

area provides egress to an open exterior space, either

directly or through a vestibule, the safe area need not

provide the floor area required by subdivision three of

this section when the level of discharge from the safe

area to the open exterior space is not more than four feet

above or below the grade of the open exterior space.

(5) RAMPS AND STEPS. - Ramps in safe areas

shall have a gradient of not more than one in twelve,

except that when not exceeding six feet in length, the

gradient may be not greater than one in ten. Steps in

safe areas shall comply with the following requirements:

a. No riser shall be less than six inches

nor more than seven and one-half inches high.

b. No riser shall vary in height from the riser

immediately above or below it.

c. Treads in flights of steps shall be at least

ten and one-half inches wide exclusive of nosing, and,

except as provided in paragraph d of this subdivision,

the sum of two risers plus the width of one tread shall

be at least twenty-four inches but not more than

twenty-five and one-half inches.

d. No change in levels shall have less than

three risers, except that where the intervening tread is

between twenty-eight inches and thirty-six inches, two

risers may be used when the edge of each tread is

marked by a contrasting color stripe.

e. Where exit openings from an assembly

space are above or below the level of the safe area, a

platform shall be provided at the same level as that of

the exit opening. The platform shall be at least one

foot wider on each side than the exit opening, and

shall extend a minimum of six feet in the direction of

exit travel. The sides of such platforms, and of steps or

ramps leading from them, shall be protected by guards

at least three feet high.

(6) EXITS FROM SAFE AREAS. - The capacity

of exits from safe areas shall be as listed in table 8-1.

Exit openings from safe areas shall discharge

into exit types as provided in subchapter six of this

chapter.

(7) DOOR HARDWARE. - Doors from safe

areas or from exits from safe areas opening directly to

the outdoors and furnished with locks shall be

equipped with fire exit bolts complying with the

requirements of paragraph two of subdivision (k) of

section 27-371 of subchapter six of this chapter.

§[C26-801.12] 27-536 Corridors. -

Corridors shall comply with all of the requirements of

subchapter six of this chapter, except as modified below:

(a) Capacity. - The capacity of corridors shall be as

listed in table 8-1.

(b) Changes in level. - Changes in level requiring

less than three risers in a corridor shall be by a ramp

having a slope not greater than one in ten.

§[C26-801.13] 27-537 Exit passageways. –

Exit passageways shall comply with all of the requirements

of subchapter six of this chapter, except as modified below:

(a) Capacity. - The capacity of exit passageways

shall be as listed in table 8-1.

(b) Changes in level. - Changes in level requiring

less than three risers in an exit passageway shall be by

a ramp having a slope not greater than one in ten.

§[C26-801.14] 27-538 Vertical exits. –

Stairs, escalators and ramps shall comply with all of

the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter,

except as modified below:

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212

(a) Capacity. - The capacity of stairs, escalators or

ramps shall be as listed in table 8-1.

(b) Width. - The minimum width of stairs shall be at

least forty-four inches, except that where the total

occupant load is not more than permitted for one unit of

exit width, the minimum width may be thirty-six

inches.

Vertical exits leading directly from one safe area to

another, or leading from a safe area directly to an open

exterior space, need not be enclosed.

(d) Ramp slope. - Ramps serving as vertical exits

shall not have a slope greater than one in ten.

§[C26-801.15] 27-539 Open exterior spaces. -

(a) Capacity. - Open exterior spaces shall be

adequate in width and area to accommodate the

accumulated occupant load of all exits discharging

into them on the basis of two square feet per person.

(b)

Minimum dimensions. - The minimum dimensions

of open exterior spaces shall be twenty feet, except

that when the principal entrance to the place of

assembly is from an open exterior space, the minimum

dimension of this space shall be thirty feet. No open

exterior space shall have less than four hundred square

feet of floor area, and floor area shall be measured

exclusive of the following:

1. The area immediately outside any exit door

from

the place of assembly for a distance

perpendicular to the

exit doors of ten feet for the full width of the exit

opening.

2. The area of steps, platforms, stairs, or ramps

within or leading to or from the space.

3. The area of obstructions such as shrubs, trees,

fixed furniture, signs, sculptures, pools, and similar

obstructions to occupancy or exit travel.

space is more than fifteen feet above or below the

grade of the street or public space to which it

discharges, its required area shall be increased by one-

third.

(d) Egress from open exterior spaces. -

Exterior exit passageways, ramps, or steps leading

from open exterior spaces shall be not less in width

than required for the occupant load of all exits

discharging into the open exterior space. The width of

such exit passageways shall be based on the capacities

listed in table 8-1, but in no case less than ten feet.

Ramps and steps shall comply with the requirements

of paragraph (e) of subdivision five of section 27-535

of this article.

§[C26-801.16] 27-540 Exit lighting. - In addition to

the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter,

lighting shall be provided in the following areas:

(a) Safe areas. - Safe areas shall be artificially

lighted by electrical means at all times during

occupancy of a place of assembly so as to provide

illumination of at least five foot candles at the level of

the floor and on the surface of all stairs, steps, ramps,

and escalators within the safe area.

(b) Open exterior spaces. -Yards or courts which

serve as open exterior spaces shall be artificially

lighted by electrical means at all times between sunset

and sunrise during occupancy of a place of assembly

so as to provide illumination of at least five foot

candles at the level of the floor over at least the

required area.

§[C26-801.17] 27-541 Exit signs. –

Signs meeting the requirements of subchapter six of

this chapter and subdivision (e) of section 27-534 of this

article shall be provided in all assembly spaces to

indicate the location of exits and, where necessary, the

direction to the exits. All exit or directional signs shall

be placed so that they are clearly visible from all parts

of the assembly spaces, and the bottom of all signs

shall be at least seven feet above floor level. Signs

shall be of the internally lighted type in all assembly

spaces where the general illumination is reduced to

less than five foot candles during a performance or

during occupancy. Signs shall be lighted at all times

during occupancy.

§[C26-801.18] 27-542 Emergency lighting. -

All assembly spaces shall be provided with emergency

lighting facilities sufficient to provide at least five foot

candles of illumination at the floor level. Such lighting

shall be on circuits that are separate from the general

lighting and power circuits, either taken off ahead of

the main switch or connected to a separate emergency

lighting power source, and be arranged to operate

automatically in the event of failure of the normal lighting

system. The provisions of this section shall apply

retroactively to all existing places of assembly that are

or would be classified in occupancy groups F-3 and F-4

or are changed to such classification under this code, in

accordance with the following schedule and specifications:

1. Cabarets, dance halls, night clubs, and taverns

having an occupant load exceeding one hundred fifty

persons shall complete the installation required by this

section on or before April twelfth, nineteen hundred

seventy-nine.

2. Cabarets, dance halls, night clubs, and taverns

having an occupant load of one hundred fifty persons

or less shall complete such installation on or before

July twelfth, nineteen hundred seventy-nine.

3.Spaces occupied exclusively as restaurants

shall complete such installation on or before October

twelfth, nineteen hundred seventy-nine.

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4. All other spaces in occupancy groups F-3 and F-4

shall complete such installation on or before January

twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty.

5. The wiring shall conform with the electrical code

of the city of New York, and have the same protection as

specified for wiring in reference standard RS 17-3, RS

17-3A or 17-3B.

6. Storage battery equipment may be used as the

sole source of energy provided it conforms with the

provisions of section four of reference standard RS 17-

3 or consists of two battery packs listed by an acceptable

testing laboratory or conforms with nationally accepted

standards for such source of emergency energy.

§[C26-801.19] 27-543 Light projection sources. –

Motion picture projection and other light projection

sources shall comply with the following:

(a) Film. - The projection, use or storage of film

having a nitrocellulose base (commonly known as nitrate

film) shall not be permitted except under conditions

specified in special permits when issued by the fire

department. Safety film meeting the specifications and

test standards of reference standard RS 8-1 may be

projected, used or stored.

(b) Projection machines. - Projection machines

shall meet the requirements of the electrical code of

the city of New York. The lamp housing of projection

machines using carbon-arc or other light sources that

emit gaseous discharge shall be equipped with, or

connected to a mechanical ventilation system of

adequate capacity to exhaust the products of combustion

through ducts directly to the outdoors. Such duct systems

shall comply with the requirements of subchapter thirteen

of this chapter. When more than one projection machine

or other facility employing a carbon-arc or similar light

source is used, all may be vented by the same duct

system if the capacity is adequate for all facilities so

connected.

as spotlights, that employ a carbon-arc or other light

source that emits gaseous discharge shall be vented

directly as required in subdivision (b) of this section,

unless the space in which such devices are located is

mechanically ventilated and provides at least two

thousand cubic feet of room volume for each device.

(d) Light or projection rooms or booths. -

When enclosed, rooms or booths used for the

projection of motion picture film or the manipulating

of lights shall be built of noncombustible materials,

and shall provide a clear working space of at least two

feet around the projection apparatus. Such rooms or

booths shall be provided with vents opening to a

mechanically ventilated area or the outdoors, adequate

in size to supply the make-up air required. The rooms

or booths shall be provided with at least one

noncombustible or metal clad door at least two feet by

six feet opening in the direction of exit travel, and no

point within the room, booth, or gallery shall be more

than fifty feet from a door opening into a corridor or

space that provides access to an exit at a distance not

greater than seventy-five feet.

§[C26-801.20] 27-544 Motion picture screens. -

Motion picture screens shall be noncombustible, or

have a flame spread rating not over twenty-five, or be

of materials that have been rendered flameproof in

accordance with the provisions of chapter four of this

title. The construction supporting screens shall be

noncombustible, and shall comply with the stage

rigging requirements of subchapter nine and with the

provisions of subchapter ten of this chapter.

ARTICLE 3 F-1 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

§[C26-802.1] 27-545 General. -

The provisions of this section shall apply to all places

of assembly classified in occupancy group F-1 under

the provisions of subchapter three of this chapter.

§[C26-802.2] 27-546 F-1a places of assembly. -

F-1a places of assembly shall comply with all of the

requirements of article two of subchapter eight of this

chapter, and with the following:

(a) Construction in seating areas. -

(1) Scenery or scenic elements may be placed in

seating sections of F-1a assembly spaces if such

elements:

a. Are noncombustible, or of materials that

have been rendered flameproof in accordance with the

provisions of chapter four of this title, or have a flame

spread rating of twenty-five or less.

b. Are adequately braced or secured.

c. Do not obstruct the required visibility of, or

paths of travel to, exit openings.

(2) Platforms or runways for performances,

to accommodate the operation of cameras, electronic

equipment, or motion picture projection machines not

using carbon-arc or other light source that emits a

gaseous discharge may be constructed in seating

sections, provided such platforms or runways comply with

the requirements of paragraph one of subdivision (a) of

this section.

(b) Stage requirements. -

(1) DEFINITION. -

For the purposes of this section the stage in an F-1a

place of assembly shall include the performing area

and all other nonaudience areas that are used in the

presentation of a performance and that are open to the

performing area. The performing area shall be that

area between the outer edge of the stage apron and the

furthermost up-stage acting boundary, the width being

the maximum stage opening to the audience.

Title 27 / Subchapter 8

214

(2) STAGE FLOOR CONSTRUCTION. -

The floor construction of stages shall provide fire-

resistance ratings complying with the requirements of

section 27-240 of article two of subchapter three of

this chapter and table 3-4 except as follows:

a. Any portion of the stage floor used for

passing scenery and scenic elements to a lower level

may consist of heavy timber construction supporting

tight fitting traps of at least three inch nominal solid

wood or of equivalent materials in terms of fire-

resistance, strength, and stiffness properties.

b. Stage lifts shall comply with the provisions of

subchapter eighteen of this chapter. Any portion of the

stage floor that is equipped with stage lifts shall be of

noncombustible construction. Joints between lift

platforms and adjacent floors shall be tightly fitted.

c. Finish flooring shall comply with the

provisions of section 27-351 of article five of

subchapter five of this chapter.

(3) AREAS BELOW THE STAGE. -

When the stage floor is equipped with traps or stage

lifts, the room or space below the stage into which the

traps or lifts open shall be completely enclosed by

construction having at least the fire-resistance rating

required for the stage floor, and such room or space

shall not be used as a workshop or storage area.

Storage shall not be deemed to include the location in

this area of scenery or scenic elements used during a

performance. However, no combustible material that has

a flamespread rating greater than twenty-five or that has

not been rendered flameproof in accordance with

chapter four of this title may be stored in this location

at any time. Under-stage areas shall comply with the

requirements of paragraph eleven of this subdivision.

(4) EXITS FROM THE STAGE. -

At least two exits, remote from each other, shall be

available from every point on a stage, each within a

travel distance limitation of one hundred twenty-five

feet. The occupant load of the stage shall be based

upon one person per fifteen square feet for the

performing area and on one person per fifty square

feet for the remaining area. When any portion of a

stage is used for audience seating at any time, exits of

adequate capacity shall be provided for that portion,

within the travel distance limitations for assembly

space seating. Exit openings serving a stage directly

shall have a capacity of seventy-five persons per unit

of exit width.

(5) SCENERY AND SCENIC ELEMENTS. -

All

scenery or scenic elements shall be of noncombustible

materials, or of materials having a flame-spread rating

not exceeding twenty-five, or of materials that have

been rendered flameproof in compliance with the provisions

of chapter four of this title. Scenery and scenic elements

not complying with the above requirements may be used

only when expressly permitted by the fire department.

(6) RIGGING LOFTS, FLY GALLERIES, AND

GRIDIRONS. - Girders, beams, or slats of galleries or

gridirons over the stage floor or in the rigging loft need

not be fire protected but shall be of noncombustible

materials designed in accordance with the provisions

of subchapters nine and ten of this chapter.

(7) AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION. -

Stages in F-1a places of assembly shall be provided

with automatic sprinkler protection complying with the

construction provisions of subchapter seventeen of this

chapter, as follows:

a. Automatic sprinklers shall be placed above all

rigging lofts; and above all stage areas, other than

those portions of stage areas specifically designated on

approved plans as performing areas which do not have

rigging lofts above and that are not at any time used

for storage purposes. Sprinklers above rigging lofts

shall be located so that no gridiron or other obstruction

intervenes between the sprinkler heads and the scenery

or scenic elements.

b. When any part of a stage is sprinklered in

accordance with the provisions of subparagraph a of

this paragraph, or when rigging lofts are provided, such

stage areas and rigging lofts shall be completely

separated from audience areas by a deluge sprinkler

system designed to form a vertical water curtain, with

heads spaced to provide a water density of at least

three gpm per linear foot. The water curtain system

shall be controlled by a deluge valve actuated by a

"rate of rise system" and

"fixed temperature system."

The heat actuating

devices shall be located on not more

than ten foot centers around the perimeter of the

sprinklered area or as otherwise required for the type of

device used to assure operation of the system. In

addition to the automatic controls, manual operating

devices shall be located at the emergency control

station as required by paragraph ten of this subdivision,

and adjacent to at least one exit from the stage. Such

exit shall be remote from the emergency control panel.

c. When openings are provided in the stage

floor for stage lifts, trap doors or stairs, sprinklers

spaced five feet on centers shall be provided around

the opening at the ceiling below the stage, and baffles

at least twelve inches in depth shall be installed around

the perimeter of the opening.

d. All valves controlling sprinkler supplies

shall be

provided with tamper switches wired to an

annunciator panel located at the emergency control panel.

e. The operation of any section of the sprinkler

system and the deluge system shall activate the

emergency ventilating equipment required in paragraph

eight of this subdivision.

f. The water flow alarm, tamper switches and

deluge system equipment shall be provided with central

station supervision in addition to the required local alarm.

g. Existing premises shall be required to

Title 27 / Subchapter 8

215

conform with this requirement on or before January

twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty. However, existing

sprinkler systems, which have been previously accepted by

the department or by the fire department, shall be deemed

in compliance with this requirement.

(8) EMERGENCY VENTILATION. - Emergency

ventilation shall be provided for all stages in F-1a

places of assembly to provide a means of removing

smoke and combustion gases to the outdoors in the

event of a fire, as follows:

a. A mechanical exhaust system shall be

provided of sufficient capacity to exhaust an amount

of air at least equal to the sum of the following:

(1) two cfm per square foot of the performing

area.

(2) four cfm per square foot of that portion

of stage area that is not designated as performing area.

(3) four cfm per square foot of rigging loft area.

b. The exhaust system shall be designated to

be activated both manually and automatically, manual

operation shall be by means of a manually operated

switch located at the emergency control panel as required

by paragraph ten of this subdivision and adjacent to at

least one exit from the stage. Such exit shall be remote

from the emergency control panel. Automatic activation

shall be by means of the sensing devices that start the

operation of the sprinklers. Exhaust air openings of

ducts shall be located so as to provide the most

effective removal of smoke and combustion gases.

c. The exhaust system shall be provided with an

automatic emergency by-pass damper in the exhaust duct

on the suction side of the fan. Such damper shall close to

the fan in the event of a power failure to the fan motor

and shall open directly to the outdoors if the fan is

located outside the building, or shall open to a duct

leading directly to the outdoors if the fan is located inside

the building. When located inside the building, the fan

shall be insulated with a minimum of one inch magnesia

block or the equivalent in insulating and fire-resistive

qualities. Exhaust fans shall have drive and bearings

located outside of the fan impeller housing. The exhaust

system shall not be connected to exhaust openings in any

space other than the stage and rigging loft, and shall be

constructed to comply with the provisions of subchapter

thirteen of this chapter[. All]** switches shall be clearly

labelled "emergency stage ventilation" and shall be

painted red.

As enacted but “to” probably intended to be omitted.

Copy in brackets not enacted but probably intended.

d. The emergency ventilation system shall be

connected to both the normal and emergency light and

power circuits.

(9) CURTAINS. - No curtain shall be located between

the audience area and the stage unless it is designated to

permit the air movement required for emergency ventilation

in paragraph eight of this subdivision to bypass or pass

through the curtain without excessive billowing, and be

made of noncombustible fabrics, as specified in the appendix

of reference standard RS 7-3.

(10) EMERGENCY CONTROL PANEL. -

emergency control panel shall be provided, as follows:

a. It shall be located on or adjoining the stage,

except that where the stage is surrounded by seating, it

shall be located so as to permit a view of the audience

and stage areas. It shall be manned in accordance with

the requirements of the fire department at all times

during the presentation of a performance to an

audience.

b. It shall be equipped with tell-tale lights to

indicate when feeders and subfeeders of emergency

light and power circuits are in operation in assembly

spaces and all exits, including safe areas.

c. It shall, when a deluge type sprinkler system is

provided, be equipped with manual operating devices to

activate the sprinkler system. It shall also be provided

with a signal system to show when any portion of the

sprinkler system has been deactivated.

d. It shall be provided with switches to

provide for operation of the emergency ventilating

system. Controls for the ventilating system shall be

electrically supervised. The supervisory circuit shall be

provided with a trouble bell and light, both of which

shall be activated in the event of a failure in the

ventilation system. A silencing switch may be provided,

and where provided, shall have either an automatic

reset or shall ring again when the trouble is corrected.

e. It shall be equipped with a public address

system serving loudspeakers in the assembly space.

The public address system shall be connected to both

the normal and emergency light and power circuits.

f. It shall be equipped with an alarm system

and intercom connected to the manager's office, the

dressing rooms, and to a supervisory central fire station.

(11) AUXILIARY STAGE SPACES. -

Auxiliary stage spaces such as understage areas, dressing

rooms, green rooms, storage rooms, work shops, and

similar spaces associated with the use of the stage

shall comply with the following:

a. No point within any auxiliary stage space shall

be more than fifty feet from a door providing access to an

exit.

b. There shall be at least two exits available

from every auxiliary space, one of, which shall be

available within a travel distance of seventy-five feet.

A common path of travel of twenty feet to the two exits

shall be permitted.

c. The occupant load of dressing rooms shall

be based on one person per fifty square feet of area.

d. Auxiliary stage spaces shall be equipped with

automatic sprinklers when required by the provisions of

subchapter seventeen of this chapter.

e. No workshop involving the use of combustible

or inflammable paint, liquids, or gases or their storage

Title 27 / Subchapter 8

216

shall open directly upon a stage.

f. The interior finish of auxiliary stage spaces

shall comply with the requirements of table 5-4.

(12) STAGE LIGHTING. - No stage lights shall

be placed so that they will develop temperatures on

the surface of any material that will cause that material

to ignite, or smoke, or cause its flameproofing to

deteriorate.

§[C26-802.3] 27-547 F-1b Places of assembly. -

F-1b places of assembly shall comply with all of the

requirements of article two of this subchapter, and

with the following:

(a) Certificate of occupancy. -

The certificate of occupancy for F-1b places of assembly

shall specifically note the prohibition against the use

or placement of scenery or scenic elements on or

above the stage.

(b) Stage requirements. -

(1) DEFINITION. - For the purposes of this

section, the stage in an F-1b place of assembly shall be

the area where the principal activity viewed by the

audience takes place.

(2) CONSTRUCTION. - Raised platforms may

be built as stages in F-1b places of assembly when

they are supported on floors having the fire-resistance

ratings required by table 3-4, in accordance with the

following:

a The area below the platform shall be

enclosed on all sides with solid construction.

b. The horizontal area of stage construction

shall not exceed the following:

Wood frame: maximum area-four hundred square feet.

Fire retardant treated wood: maximum area-twelve hundred

square feet.

Noncombustible frame: maximum area-unlimited.

c. The floor of the stage, when wood is used,

shall be a least one inch nominal thickness, and shall

be laid on a solid, noncombustible backing, or all

spaces between supporting members shall be fire-

stopped with noncombustible material.

d. In all F-1b places of assembly providing

live entertainment, at anytime, the stage, dressing rooms

and property rooms shall be provided with automatic

sprinkler and fire alarm protection in conformance with

the provisions of subchapter seventeen of this chapter.

Existing premises shall be required to conform with this

requirement on or before January twelfth, nineteen

hundred eighty. However, existing sprinkler systems,

which have been previously accepted by the department or

by the fire department, shall be deemed in compliance with

this requirement.

(3) EXITS FROM THE STAGE. -

At least two exits, remote from each other, shall be

available from every point on a stage, each within a

travel distance limitation of one hundred fifty feet.

The occupant load of the stage shall be based upon one

person per twenty-five square feet of area. When any

portion of a stage is used for audience seating at any

time, exits of adequate capacity shall be provided for

that portion, within the travel distance limitations for

assembly space seating. Exit openings serving a stage

directly shall have a capacity of one hundred persons

per unit of exit width.

(4) EMERGENCY CONTROL PANEL. - In F-1b

places of assembly having an occupant load over six

hundred persons, an emergency control panel shall be

provided, as follows:

a. It shall be located so as to have a view of

the audience and stage areas, and shall be manned

during the presentation of a performance to an

audience, by a competent person instructed in its use.

b. It shall be equipped with tell-tale lights to

indicate when feeders and subfeeders of emergency

light and power circuits are in operation in assembly

spaces and all exits, including safe areas.

c. It shall be equipped with a public address

system serving loudspeakers in the assembly space.

The public address system shall be connected to both

the normal and emergency light and power circuits.

ARTICLE 4 F-2 PLACES OF ASSEMBLY

§[C26-803.1] 27-548 General. - The provisions of

this section shall apply to all places of assembly

classified in occupancy group F-2 under the provisions of

subchapter three. F-2 places of assembly shall comply

with all of the requirements of article two of this

subchapter, and with the following:

(a) Enclosure. - To qualify as an F-2 outdoor place

of assembly, a place of assembly shall have at least

forty percent of the combined surface area of all

exterior wall and roof planes open to the outdoors.

When a portion of an outdoor place of assembly is

enclosed to a greater extent, that portion shall comply with

all of the requirements of this code applicable to indoor

places of assembly.

(b) Grandstands. - Grandstands shall comply with

the following:

(1) CONSTRUCTION.- Grandstands shall be

designed in accordance with the requirements of

subchapters nine and ten of this chapter.

(2) HEIGHT AND AREA.- Grandstands, when

built entirely of noncombustible materials, may be of

unlimited height and area, and when built of combustible

materials, shall be subject to the following limitations:

a. No section of seating shall exceed twenty feet

in height, or exceed ten thousand square feet in area.

b. When more than one section of seating is

provided, and the separation between them is less than

fifty feet, each section shall be separated from the

other by construction having a fire-resistance rating of

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217

a least two hours and rising to a height of at least two

feet six inches above the levels of seating at each row.

c. No outdoor grandstand of combustible

materials shall be erected within less than two-thirds

of its height, but in no case less than ten feet, of a

building or an interior lot line unless separated therefrom

by noncombustible construction having a one hour

fire-resistance rating.

(3) SPACES UNDER SEATS. -

Spaces under grandstand seats shall be kept free of all

combustible materials and shall not be occupied or

used for other than egress, unless such spaces are

completely enclosed by noncombustible construction

having a two hour fire-resistance rating.

(4) PARKING. - Motor vehicle parking spaces

shall not be closer than twenty feet to any grandstand

unless separated therefrom by noncombustible construction

having a one hour fire-resistance rating.

(1) DEFINITION. - For the purposes of this

section the stage in an F-2 place of assembly shall be

the area where the principal activity viewed by the

audience takes place.

(2) CONSTRUCTION. - The horizontal area of

stage construction shall not exceed the following:

Wood frame: maximum area-five thousand square feet.

Fire retardant treated wood: maximum area-ten thousand

square feet. Noncombustible frame: maximum area-unlimited.

(3) EXITS FROM THE STAGE. -

At least two exits, remote from each other, shall be

available from every point on a stage, each within a

travel distance limitation of three hundred feet. The

occupant load of the stage shall be based upon one

person per fifty square feet of area. When any portion

of a stage is used for audience seating at any time, exits

of adequate capacity shall be provided for that portion,

within the travel distance limitations for assembly space

seating. Exit openings serving a stage directly shall

have a capacity of four hundred persons per unit of exit

width.

(4) EMERGENCY CONTROL PANEL. -

In F-2 places of assembly having an occupant load

over one thousand persons, an emergency control

panel shall be provided as follows:

a. It shall be located so as to have a view of the

audience and stage areas, and shall be readily

accessible at all times during the presentation of a

performance to an audience, to a competent person

instructed in its use.

b. It shall be equipped with tell-tale lights to

indicate when feeders and subfeeders of emergency light

and power circuits are in operation in assembly spaces

and all exits.

c. It shall be equipped with a public address

system serving loudspeakers in the assembly space.

The public address system shall be connected to both

the normal and emergency light and power circuits.

(d) Drive-in-theaters-

Drive-in theaters shall comply with the following:

(1) Projection booths and projection machines

shall comply with the requirements of section 27-543

of article two of this subchapter. Motor vehicle

parking spaces shall not be closer than twenty feet to

any projection booth or machine.

(2) Projection screens and supporting structures

shall comply with the requirements of section 27-544 of

article two of this subchapter and shall be designed in

accordance with the requirements of subchapters nine

and ten of this chapter as applied to signs. Motor

vehicle parking spaces shall not be closer than twenty

feet to any projection screen.

(e) Amusement parks. - Buildings and structures

within amusement parks shall be constructed to conform

with all of the requirements of this code governing the

specific use and occupancy. Amusement devices shall not

be placed in operation until they have been made to

comply with the provisions of subchapter eighteen of this

chapter.

ARTICLE 5 F-3 AND F-4 PLACES OF

ASSEMBLY

§[C26-804.1] 27-549 General. -

The provisions of this section shall apply to all places

of assembly classified in occupancy group F-3 or F-4

under the provisions of subchapter three of this

chapter. F-3 or F-4 places of assembly shall comply

with all the requirements of article two of this

subchapter and the following:

(a) Stage requirements. -

(1) With scenery and scenic elements. - Where

an F-3 or F-4 place of assembly provides a stage using

scenery and scenic elements, the space shall comply with

all of the requirements of this code applicable to F-1a

places of assembly.

(2) Without scenery and scenic elements. - Where

an F-3 or F-4 place of assembly provides a stage not

using scenery or scenic elements, the space shall

comply with all of the requirements of this code

applicable to F-1b places of assembly.

(3) Cabarets. - In all F-4 places of assembly used

as a cabaret, the stage dressing rooms and property rooms

shall be provided with automatic sprinkler and fire alarm

protection in compliance with the provisions of

subchapter seventeen of this chapter. Existing premises

shall be required to conform with this requirement on or

before January twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty.

(b) Retroactive provisions.- On or before January

twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty, all places of

assembly providing entertainment or used as a cabaret

within F-3 or F-4 occupancies shall be provided with

automatic sprinkler and fire alarm protection to

comply with the provisions of subchapter seventeen of

this chapter.

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