In 1968 they required buildings to have internal fire escapes because the old steel structures were hard to maintain (required repainting every five years with two coats of paint in contrasting colors) and difficult to enforce. And some might have gotten waivers at the BSA, and still others might have had inspectors on the take. Some situations allowed stairways to be sprinklered and thus they considered that a second means of egress. (although I have seen some two-story buildings with an escape). Some got around it with internal escapes (but that still means two means of egress from your apartment even if it is so-called 'fire proof') First floors don't require escapes usually two floors don't require it either, but three+ do. All buildings with multiple floors require two means of egress. If you can't get to the stairs that you have, then you're supposed to have an alternate means of escape.Īfter the Triangle Shirt Company (look it up in Wikipedia) fire in 1913 (where about a 100 woman died), they required fire escapes. The idea is where can you go if one means of egress is blocked. There are special rules for taller buildings, including sprinklers. The side and rear units have traditional outside fire escapes (and it's six floors). And that internal fire escape is accessible from within the front apartments without having to go out into the hallway. It has an internal fire escape in the front apartments in lieu of outside fire escapes, but that is in addition to the regular hallway stairs. cement blocks and bricks, not wood beams. The building I live in is supposedly fireproof. And it depends if it's between units are what is known as a 'fire wall.' An internal fire door will have a rating - perhaps 1 hour - meaning that the door should inhibit the spread of fire for that period of time. In many commercial buildings, you might see a 4-hour rating, In residential construction you might see 1-2 hour rating. ![]() The nature of the materials that make up the walls and doors: cinder, steel, wood, etc., will determine a fire rating. Even WTC 7, which was not hit by a plane, fell after several hours because of the intense fire. Any building can and will burn if the circumstances are present. ![]() The idea is that the wall or door will stop the spread of the fire for a period of time, allowing egress. Walls and doors have fire resistance ratings, possibly up to several hours. It's a common term, but it means fire resistant for a period of time. There is no such things as a 'Fire Proof' building (and they will admit that).
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