Fire Codes for Buildings

States, cities and communities enforce fire codes for buildings that state what owners must do to ensure that buildings are safe for people to inhabit, even in the event of a fire emergency. Fire codes vary by location but include many of the same basic provisions to keep people safe.

Egress

• Many fire codes deal with egress, or ways to exit a building. Besides providing multiple exits and clearly marking them as exits, building owners must also keep all stairways, hallways and exit doors clear and free of obstructions. Storing items in a hallway may be a violation of this code.

  In addition, egress fire codes require basement bedrooms to have windows large enough to be used as a means of escape. For homeowners, this can mean a costly alteration to install a basement bedroom that is up to code.

Cooking

• Fire codes limit where in a building cooking is allowed. This type of code usually limits cooking to the kitchen area, which should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. Cooking in bedrooms is often a violation of code. Outdoor cooking also falls under fire code regulations. Using a grill or other outdoor cooker may be legal only at a certain distance from a building, prohibiting cooking on balconies and porches.

Storage

• Fire codes mandate where and how certain flammable materials need to be stored. For example, storing propane or natural gas indoors is a violation of code because fumes tend to sink and can fill the basement with gas that a furnace or stove can ignite, causing an explosion. Storage for gasoline may also be governed by fire codes that limit how much gas can be stored in a building and what type of containers are required.

Alarms and Retardants

• Fire codes require public buildings to be equipped with alarms that use a siren and flashing light to alert occupants of a fire. Besides alarms and clearly marked exits, some local fire codes also include a provision requiring fire extinguishers, hoses or automatic sprinklers in residential buildings with a certain number of units. Older buildings may be exempt from some of these codes, but new construction must include all of the fire code-mandated equipment for the building to be certified as a legal dwelling.